E-safety

This page is for parents and pupils to use as a reference point for e-Safety resources. It has links to other resources and practical advice. It is an area that is being developed, resources and further information will be added throughout the year. If you have any comments or would like to contribute please email susmith@combertonvc.org

What is e-Safety? 

E-Safety stands for electronic safety, it is not just about keeping safe on the internet but also keeping safe on all electronic devices such as mobile phones, television etc e-Safety means knowing about potential threats when you are online; knowing what you can and cannot (legally) do when you are online; and knowing how to protect yourself from some of the risks that are involved in using the internet. e-Safety covers 'All fixed and mobile technologies that children and young people may encounter, now and in the future, which allow them access to content and communications that could raise issues or pose risks to their wellbeing and safety'. If you have received content online which is of a harmful nature, this can be reported via this link Report Harmful Content | SWGfL 

 How to remove unwanted content - Don’t panic we can get it removed.

• Under 18 and shared an indecent image keep the image and report here: Report Remove | Childline
• Over 18 but shared an image before the age of 18 report it here: Take It Down (ncmec.org)
• In addition to the above you may also want to report to the police via  Parents and carers | CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk) Making a report to the police CEOP Safety Centre

Campaigns and resources for parents/carers to help you talk with teens:

• The video available here shows the dangers to open online conversations aimed at girls TALK Checklist by Internet Watch Foundation | Home (iwf.org.uk). Many young girls are not aware their image is being shared or sold online. Also offers support for parents in how to protect your child online.
• For online chats and sextortion aimed more at boys this link will help inform you more which also includes a video Help if you're worried about 'sextortion' or online blackmail (iwf.org.uk). Useful to explain what sextortion is an how easily children become victims.
• A new campaign aimed at all teens launched June 2024 helps teens to open up and talk about indecent images Need Help with Nudes? Think Before You Share Nudes Online developed by the internet watch foundation it uses fruit to represent body parts to get the message across for parents to easily use with their pre-teens and teens.
• Breck's story teaches children how to stay safe online, how to avoid groomers and stay away from digital exploration. This is a true story of the dangers on online grooming Our story | Breck Foundation please be aware this a true story that doesn’t end well.

General Guides to e-Safety

Setting up privacy controls

• The IWF has many guides available on e-safety this one is a guide on how to set up parental controls with a guides for computers, gaming consoles, broadband and mobile networks, smartphones, entertainment e.g. Netflix, BBC i-player and social media Parental Controls & Privacy Settings Guides - Internet Matters
• Guides on how to set privacy settings for common apps, a guide on the common apps with a step by step guide on  how to set up privacy settings Social Media privacy setting guide - Internet Matters
• UK Safer Internet Centre Tips, advice and resources to help children have a safe and positive time online. Homepage - UK Safer Internet Centre

Parent guidance leaflets

Internet-Matters-online-safety-Age-Guide-14plus.pdf (internetmatters.org)

Preteens (11year old to 13 year old) online safety advice | Internet Matters

Know IT All for Parents (ChildNet)

Another excellent site with good advice for parents, in many different languages. It has a video presentation which you view online or order, a glossary of internet jargon and much more.

Know IT All Resources | Childnet

Cyberbullying

STOP Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is when a person or a group of people uses the internet, mobile phones, online games or any other kind of digital technology to threaten, tease, upset or humiliate someone else.

A website which discusses the issues around cyberbullying and offers advice on prevention and how to tackle it. What Is Cyberbullying | StopBullying.gov

Help for parents in discussing cyberbullying

Cyberbullying conversation starters guide: 14+year olds - Internet Matters

Cyberbullying conversation starters guide: 11 – 13 year olds - Internet Matters

What to do if your child is the cyberbully

A parents view of finding out their child was the cyberbully and how they tackled this.

 https://youtu.be/cvYzYde_EpY

Guides to Apps, games and social media

Commonsense Media 

An interesting website with a good advice section for parents on a whole range of things, not just e-Safety. This includes section on games, social media, books with a quick overview for parents and advice.

Common Sense Media: Age-Based Media Reviews for Families | Common Sense Media

Online Gaming

What the PEGI logos mean when purchasing games

https://pegi.info/what-do-the-labels-mean

Gaming and online gambling advice

Tips for parents: children and online gaming - Gambling Commission

Gaming addiction and how to prevent it

Advice to prevent gaming addiction in young children | Internet Matters

Other Websites Offering Advice

Free Anti-Virus Software 

A link to the AVG website that allows a free download of its anti-virus software. A good program with regular (daily) updates for free or the option to pay for upgraded protection. AVG 2023 | FREE Antivirus, VPN & TuneUp for All Your Devices

Body image advice and support

Body image | YoungMinds

Childline

Information and advice service for children and young people.

Childline | Childline

NSPCC

Keeping children safe online | NSPCC