Below are a range of links and support guides to help you navigate the ever-changing world of online safety with your children. Help us keep your children safe by following the advice here. We want to work in partnership with you to keep everyone safe and informed of the dangers that being online can bring. The links and information below have been selected from the excellent site called ‘Net Aware,’ run by NSPCC – www.net-aware.org.uk/
Another excellent site with parent guides is the National Online Safety website: www.nationalonlinesafety.com and they have produced a number of guides for parents too, available here: Online Safety Guides for Parents and Carers
Social Media
Social Media is the term used to describe software that allows to connect and communicate with one another across mobile devices and the internet. Examples of the most popular Social Media sites are: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. However, there are always new and updated sites and apps which are appearing all the time.
Nearly all sites require the minimum age of the user to be 13. However, this is a guideline and from our own experience not enforced. Many of our pupils tell us they use these sites on a regular basis.
Do you know how to keep your child safe when they access them? Follow these guides below:
Instagram Guide for parents
Instagram is a picture and video sharing app. Users can post content and use hashtags to share experiences, thoughts or memories with an online community. You can follow your friends, family, celebrities and even companies on Instagram. Instagram allows live streaming.
https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/instagram/
Facebook Guide for parents
Facebook is a social network which lets you create a page about yourself. You can add friends, write on people’s pages, share photos and videos including live videos. Messenger allows you to instant message in group chats or one to one.
Facebook allows gaming and live streaming.
https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/facebook/
Snapchat Guide for parents
Snapchat is an app that lets you send a photo, short video or message to your contacts. The ‘snap’ appears on screen for up to 10 seconds before disappearing, or there is an option to have no time limit. There’s also a feature called Snapchat Story that lets you share snaps in a sequence for up to 24 hours.
https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/snapchat/
Youtube Guide for parents
YouTube allows you to watch, create and comment on videos. You can create your own YouTube account, create a music playlist, and even create your own channel, which means you will have a public profile. YouTube allows live streaming.
https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/youtube/
Online Gaming
Online Gaming is the term used to describe games played over the internet. These can be browser based (like Friv for example), or require a mobile or gaming device like an Nintendo Switch, x-Box Live or Playstation. The popularity of online gaming has been exponential, with the vast majority of our pupils telling us they play games online regularly with their friends.
Things to be aware of are: the PEGI rating for the game that your child is playing; the privacy controls on your child’s account; and that any Live Voice or Text Chat is appropriate and with people your child knows.
Do you know how to keep your child safe when they access online games? Follow these guides below:
Roblox Guide for parents
Roblox is a gaming platform where you can create your own games or play games that other users have made. There is also the option to chat to other players, but this can be disabled.
https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/roblox/
Fortnite Guide for parents
The multiplayer action survival game, Fortnite: Battle Royale, has received a lot of media coverage recently due to growing popularity amongst children – and also emerging safety concerns. The game involves 100 players fighting each other in real time to be the final survivor. It has a 12+ PEGI rating and the developers state that it is not targeted for under 13 year olds.
https://www.net-aware.org.uk/news/fortnite-all-you-need-know/
Grand Theft Auto series Guide for parents
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a video game where the player follows and directs the life of the central character, Carl in an open environment game. This means the player makes decisions and has free reign within a fictional city to complete a crime-ridden journey. CAUTION – PEGI RATED 18+.
https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas/