Digital Safety
Try to behave the same way online as you do in real life. For example:
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Would you allow a stranger into your house?
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Would you give out personal information to someone you couldn’t recognise and didn’t know?
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Would you send that photograph of you behaving stupidly/recklessly to the Headmaster?
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Would you send that photograph to your parents?
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Would you send intimate photographs of yourself to a sex offender?
We are lucky to be living in a fantastic new world of worldwide instant communication, where we can have a video chat with our friends on the other side of the world - for free!
However, new technology brings opportunities for bad people to attempt to prey on others, and young people to potentially make mistakes that might stay with them for the rest of their lives. By thinking carefully about the following two points, a great many mistakes can be avoided:
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People lie.
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Once transmitted on the internet - nothing can ever be deleted - ever - ever!
Some common sense advice:
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Be careful who you talk to
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Be careful what you share
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Treat people online as you would face to face
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Be aware that people lie (convincingly) and that their lies are more difficult to detect when you can't see them
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Nothing can ever be deleted from the Internet (including messages, apps and social media) - not completely - not forever
New technologies, websites and apps are being developed all the time. As a result, it is almost impossible to give specific information that won’t quickly go out of date. The following sites appear to keep their advice and information current, and would be a good place to start:
Vodafone's digital parents section, particularly the checklists, were recommended by PC Andy Price.
Internet matters - aiming to help parents keep their children safe online
UK Safer Internet Centre, with advice and tips on keeping children safe online.
If you have any further questions - please contact the school.