e-Safety

We have an Internet Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) in place that outlines to you and your children safe working practices. If your child is upset by anything they have viewed on the Internet, or are the subject of bullying at school you should contact the school immediately to discuss the matter.

What can you do to help?

You can help protect your children by following the following guide:

• Keep a watchful eye on Internet use including Email & Chat.
• Check the history folder of your Internet browser to check what sites have been accessed.
• Use a child friendly search engine – Yahooligans or Ask Jeeves for Kids etc.
• Use IE Content Supervisor – only blocks participating sites.
• Consider purchasing filter software.
• Consider using a different browser – Firefox.
• Protect your PC with firewall/antivirus software.
• Enable strict safe searching on search engine.

Helpful Links

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) - www.thinkuknow.co.uk
An excellent site providing information on child abuse and other related issues. Parents and children are able to report attempts at grooming to the global taskforce.

Childnet International - www.childnet-int.org
A non profit organisation working with others to “help make the Internet a great and safe place for children”. The site contains excellent Internet safety information for parents and children.

National Children’s Charity (NCH) - www.nch.org.uk/information/index.php?i=134
Lots of useful information to keep your children safe online.

Kidsmart - www.kidsmart.org.uk/parents
More good ideas and a 10 minute online presentation.

Bullying Online - www.bullying.co.uk/parents
Advice on what to do if you think your child is being bullied.

Childnet International - www.kidsmart.org.uk
Interactive resource dealing with the main causes for concern.

Chat Danger - http://www.chatdanger.com
An excellent site with lots of good information to help them understand the importance of safe surfing.

MSN Web Cracker - http://www.websafecrackerz.com
A site designed by teenagers for teenagers to help them understand the importance of safe surfing.

Using Facebook Safely - http://www.connectsafely.org/fbparents
This website has useful information relating to Facebook and internet safety.

Finally, don’t let the above information put you off letting your child use the Internet, the benefits far outweigh the dangers. It’s just a balance between keeping them safe and not making them afraid.