Online Safety
Contributed by Nicholas Wilson
During our PSHE sessions and assemblies we deal with issues surrounding online safety, bullying and safeguarding. Students are
informed of who can help and where to find/contact them. Key safeguarding information is included in most publications that we
produce and share with students and parents. I have made the following presentation on online safety aimed at secondary school
students which covers most of the pertinent issues relating to online safety for students
All resources in the "Safeguarding Resources" section of our resource bank have been submitted by delegates on our Level 2 Safeguarding Online
courses. For more information about this practical, self-paced course, please visit
http://www.pivotaleducation.com/level-2-safeguarding-online-for-schools/
and
http://www.pivotaleducation.com/level-2-safeguarding-online-for-colleges/
Online Safety
October 2014
Background
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85% of children aged 5-7 have access to the internet at
home
75% of children your age have a social media profile
I know all about my phone and what I do, why is this
important?
You need to be aware of the risks that you face as a
young person online
Cyberbullying
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This differs from normal bullying as it is not in person and
often involves people using different personas or names
Some of the most common examples of places that
cyberbullying occurs are BBM, Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram
Most commonly this involves sending threatening
messages or images
There are some straight forward way to deal with
cyberbullies
6 top rules for dealing with cyberbullies
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Do not respond or retaliate, this often makes things
worse
Block them
Save/print offensive messages – remember to include
time and date
Never pass on offensive material
Consider changing your username or ID
Seek help and report the problem
Grooming
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This is the process used by some adults to try and
encourage young people to engage in inappropriate
behaviour online or sometimes in person
People who groom young people can be from any
background, gender, age
Think, do you know who they are?
Are they paying you lots of compliments or offering gifts?
Is what they are asking you weird or making you feel
uneasy?
If it does, block them and speak to someone!
Sexting
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This involves sending indecent images to others
It is illegal to have indecent images of someone under the
age of 18 on your phone, regardless of your own age
Once you have sent images or videos they are out
of your control and can be shared with anyone
Information Sharing
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Be careful about what you share online
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Often privacy settings on social media are very low.
Check your settings
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Many apps and programs share location, age, gender and
other information which can be seen by anyone
Inappropriate material
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Below are examples of things which are inappropriate for
young people to be using online:
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Pornographic material
Hateful, racist or extremist websites
Gambling sites
Self-harm websites
Graphic violence
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Who can help?
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Parents
Adults at school – especially Ms …., Mr ….., Mr ….
For confidential information and advice try:
Childline - 0800 1111
NSPCC - 0808 800 5000
Time for reflection
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Do I use the internet safely?
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Do I know the dangers I face online as a young person?
(Grooming, information sharing, inappropriate material,
cyberbullying, sexting)
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Who can help if I have concerns about Online Safety?