ADVICE
Safety net
Groupcall’s Marketing Manager, Nicki Walker, examines the growing child e-safety concerns and explores the role parental engagement plays in addressing them
have become huge fans of this dynamic way to connect with others. However, many make the mistake of posting and tweeting controversial content without giving much thought to the potential consequences, with their online behaviour having a negative impact on their real lives.
Online predators: Sadly, the possibilities for anonymity that the internet off ers means that paedophiles can use social networking sites to befriend children, gaining their trust online with a view to making physical contact. By pretending to be someone they’re not, they can fi nd out personal information about a child. With these dangers in mind, it is crucial
W
ith technology now omnipresent throughout our lives, there is an onus on everyone involved in a
child’s life to ensure their e-safety, with the weight of the responsibility lying with parents and teachers. While the dangers of cyberbullying have
been well documented in the media, there are other negative side-eff ects from the permeation of technology that pose serious risks to young people.
Sexting: Sexting is an increasingly common activity among young people where inappropriate or explicit images and written messages are shared online or via text. According to ChildLine, in 2012/2013 there was a 28% increase in calls to the charity (compared to the previous year) that mentioned sexting. That works out as nearly one a day. Even though the age of sexual consent is 16, the age for distributing indecent images is 18, so by sending an explicit text a young person is producing and distributing child abuse images and risks being prosecuted.
Social networking sites: The likes of Facebook and Twitter have exploded in recent years and young people in particular
that schools work with parents to promote a culture of e-safety. By arranging e-safety awareness evenings, teachers can discuss the practical steps that parents can take to minimise risk without curbing their children’s natural enthusiasm and curiosity for technology.
SO, WHAT TIPS CAN SCHOOLS OFFER PARENTS?
Mobile management: When parents give their child their fi rst mobile, they need to outline their expectations and lay down some rules of its usage. With younger children, parents can set up controls so that only they can authorise the apps that their child downloads. In terms of sexting, get parents to ask their child what photos they feel are acceptable to send to others and whether they would be comfortable sending the photos they share with friends with a relative. Advise parents to tell their child how easy it is for photos to be forwarded and copied and the potential for these to resurface later in
“BY ARRANGING E-SAFETY AWARENESS EVENINGS, TEACHERS CAN DISCUSS THE PRACTICAL STEPS THAT PARENTS CAN TAKE TO MINIMISE RISK " Nicki Walker (right)
60 |
www.edtechnology.co.uk | @Educ_Technology
life when they are applying for college, university or a job.
Get social: When it comes to helping younger children set up social media profi les, it’s important to encourage parents to select the strongest privacy setting so that only a child’s inner circle of friends can access most of their information. Parents need to encourage their child to be selective about uploading images and videos, posting status updates and sending private messages, even among those they trust, explaining how easy it is to share content and how diffi cult it can be to delete. Parents must also explain the importance of being aware of whom they accept as friends and followers. Teachers could suggest parents use real- life examples in the news of the dangers of young people meeting strangers they have been communicating with online.
Safe surfing: According to Robinson (2013), young people’s perception of their parents’ knowledge about new technology infl uences the level of acceptance and value that they place on the advice off ered by parents regarding online safety. Schools should therefore encourage parents to be technologically competent and show an interest in their child’s online activities without
seeming as if they are snooping. That way, a child is
more likely to talk about any cyber issues
that may arise. ET
Smartphone image ©
Freepik.com
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