This afternoon, we were lucky enough to have two visitors from the NSPCC to deliver a parent workshop. A huge thank you to the parents who could make it and for those who couldn’t, there were some very useful tips and links shared.
- Parental controls – all O2 stores will set up parental controls to allow parents to see what their children are accessing online and block inappropriate content. This service is FREE and available to customers on ANY network. The NSPCC also have an online safety helpline which can walk parents through setting up parental controls. The number to call is FREEPHONE 0808 800 5002.
- Ensuring all carers are aware. The advice given was to ensure that all carers (such as grandparents, childminders and babysitters) are aware of the rules set around internet use and how to monitor children to ensure they are safe.
- NetAware provide up-to-date information on the apps children are using. As these are constantly changing, check back regularly to understand the risks. https://www.net-aware.org.uk/
- Gambling addiction among children is rising, and it is believed to be linked to online gaming. The purchase of so-called ‘surprise boxes’ which can be purchased in game are a known gateway to more serious gambling issues.
- Online communication remains an issue. Children must be aware that predators are not easily identified, and will not always fit a stereotype. The NSPCC advise that children should not have unsupervised online contact with any adult: 90% of abuse is perpetrated by a familiar adult, and so even contact with family and friends should be monitored.
- Teaching our children to be aware of the consequences of sharing material online is crucial. See the links below for some useful ideas on how to talk to children about this. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/advice-and-info/share-aware.pdf
The NSPCC website has a wealth of useful information to help parents to keep their children safe online, including video clips to share with children and up to date news about online safety.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Our school’s online safety coordinator is Mrs Hope. If you have any concerns, speak to your child’s class teacher or contact Mrs Hope.