Online Safety ~ Raising students’ awareness of the risks of Internet use ~

Online safety?

People’s Internet use information chat room instant message Blog/SNS/Wiki picture/music/video online game online shopping...

Social networking sites Myspace Facebook

Risks of Internet use: young people Content Inappropriate information Pornography Violent/ racist material Contacts Strangers in chat rooms Bullies Others Adverts Viruses Hackers Spam

Risks of Internet use London School of Economics study (2002): 57% of children had come into contact with pornography 46% of children had given out personal information 32% of children had received unsuitable comments in a chat room

Online bullying One in three children is victim of cyber-bullying Social networking sites cause an epidemic of online bullying Source:

Risks of Internet use Independent on Sunday study (2006): 60% of teenagers have personal profiles on networking sites 8% of teenagers have met someone via the internet

Meeting strangers online How safe is your child? Paedophiles use the web to trap girls Children need to know the dark side of the Internet Source:

Not who they say they are Source:

Online safety in UK schools BECTA study of online safety in schools (2002): 95% of schools use filtering software 65% of schools supervise internet access 58% of schools monitor websites But 25% of schools reported children accessing inappropriate material

supervised monitored supervised ? Supervision is not enough It is crucial to raise young people’s awareness of online safety monitored ? How to safeguard children In school At home

Awareness of online safety How do UK schools help raise students’ awareness of e-safety? Set a list of rules for responsible use (Acceptable Use Policy, see handout) Encourage discussion between teachers, students and parents (see handout)

Conclusions Ways to safeguard children Education, Education, Education Involving students, teachers and parents Developing an Acceptable Use Policy in school Raising students’ awareness of online safety

Task Learn more about online safety: - Keep your child safe on the Internet (Home Office) -Find information about protection software