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Haygrove School

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E-Safety Guidance

 

E-Safety

New technology is transforming our world. Computers, the internet, and mobile phones are now such a part of everyday life that it is hard to imagine how we coped without them.

However, technology is not all positive, and an awareness of the downsides and risks is essential. As a parent you should be aware of the dangers, so you can monitor, support and advise your children. It is impossible and possibly unreasonable to stop your child from accessing technologies, but it is important that you discuss with them what the dangers are, and help them to understand the risks.

Our Online Safety can be found on our policy page.

This page contains some key information you should be aware of, and provides links to other sites that give more detailed information.

The Internet

The Internet is a fantastic source of information for all ages. However, there is information on the Internet that is unsuitable for young people, or that is misleading or inaccurate. Some sites are constructed by fraudsters and criminal gangs, that either try to extract personal information or install malicious software on your machine without your knowledge. Certain sites can expose exposed to video footage that might not be age appropriate. Users can also leave comments about videos that could contain unsuitable language.

Please consider the following:

  • Keep computers/ tablets / laptops / consoles / phones out of bedrooms so you can see what your child is accessing
  • Explain to your child not to share personal information online
  • Turn on ‘safe search’ options on search engines (Google) to help prevent inappropriate material being seen by your child.
  • Be careful using file sharing sites and avoid downloading / installing software unless you are sure it is safe
  • Install a virus checker and keep it up-to-date

Cyberbullying


Cyberbullying is bullying using digital technologies like mobile phones and computers. This is just as upsetting as physical bullying, and in some ways worse, because the victim can be bullied in their own home, and can never escape from the bully.

Remember:

  • Encourage your child to take a screen shot of the bullying as evidence and not to respond
  • Make sure your child is aware of how much damage cyberbullying can do and to not become involved themselves
  • If it happens in school contact your Child’s tutor or Head of Year

Social Networking


The most used social networking sites include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Whilst they can be a good way to keep in touch with friends and family, there are an increasing number of distressing incidents occurring on these sites.

One issue is the number of people that children will 'friend' on these sites. Often children become competitive with the number of 'friends' they have. This means they will sometimes friend people they don't know very well and this can leave them open to exploitation.

Finally, most of these sites invite the users to record lots of information about themselves, including home address, phone number, age etc. The privacy settings can be very complicated, and getting them wrong can mean that information can be seen by anyone at all - not just friends or family. The companies that produce these sites have on occasion changed the settings so information is made public on all accounts unless you tell them otherwise.

  • Make sure your child understands all the privacy settings and checks them frequently
  • Advise them not to ‘friend’ unless they are positive they are who they say they are.
  • Remember children should be 13 before signing up to social media sites
  • Have a family member ‘friend’ your child to help keep your child safe

Child Exploitation


The most serious risk for children as a result of technology is through exploitation. The Internet can provide anonymity for those who will exploit vulnerable children. The UK Police have set up an organisation called  to educate children and their parents as to the dangers posed by predators on the Internet.

 

Online Resources

Parental Controls for iPhone

Parental Controls for Android

A free guide to home internet controls for parents and carers

– a website created by CEOP aimed at young people and provides information about how to stay safe online.

 – the teens sector gives real life stories told by teenagers who have been victims of internet exploitation.

 – helps students look at how they use technology and the dangers that may arise

 – has a section covering cyberbullying with advice on how to stay safe

 - targeted at  children aged 11+ and includes games and competitions

helps get inappropriate images removed from the internet. Too often an image that a young person shared can end up in the public domain which can be scary and also embarrassing. Using Report Remove can help to get the image deleted and also stop the possibility of it being shared on participating platforms.

The have recently introduced an additional support service called which is a safe space for teenagers worried above sexual behaviour. Shore offers anonymous advice and support to help manage worrying thoughts and learn more about living safely both online and offline. Their services are anonymous, which means that anyone using it does not have to say who they are.

Parent Monitoring Apps

Below is a list of some of the Parental Monitoring Apps available. Please use your own discretion and conduct your own research when selecting an App.

KidsGuard – Allows parents and carers to monitor texts, Social media, call logs, contact lists and downloadable content/files. Also allows for geo-fencing and geolocation, allows you to block apps and restrict time spent on certain apps. Allows for time limits to be set. Different versions, inc. versions that can monitor PC’s and Pads, can be downloaded from ClevGuard. This app is hidden on the target phone. Works best on Android. Can be used on IPads and PC’s

MMGuardian – Allows parents and carers to monitor text messages, photos, internet usage, block content and be alerted to worrying content. Also allows for geo-fencing, social media monitoring, phone time limits and app blocking. Certain features can only be accessed when the App is downloaded directly from their server and not from an app store. You can add settings to stop this app being uninstalled on the target device. Works best on Android. Can be used on other devices.

Highster Mobile - Allows parents and carers to monitor phone call logs, text messages, social media and messenger apps. Allows for geo-location and geo-fencing. Parents and Carers can monitor internet browsing. This app is hidden on the target phone. Further independent research needed

Qustodio – Parents and Carers can monitor internet usage, text messages, call logs, time spent on social media and can block certain apps as well as put time limits on the phone or individual apps. There is geo-location and a ‘panic button’ option when downloaded onto an android. More features with Android. Can be used on other devices.

Flexispy – Different plan options. Can allow you to monitor and listen in to calls, monitor text, social media, photos, and files. Allows the parent or carer to stay hidden on target phone. Can take remote access of phone features and intercept calls. Allows geo-location and geo-fencing. Allows users to block apps and uninstall content. This works on both Android, IPhone, IPads and PC’s

Ikeymonitor – Monitors messaging and social media apps. Can listen in around the phone and record. Monitors internet usage and call logs. Geo-location and geo-fencing. Lots of add-ons according to needs. Is also discreet. Can be used on both IOS and Android

Netnanny – Offers geolocation and phone use monitoring. Also allows you to restrict and monitor screen time. There is no social media monitoring. Internet filtering and YouTube monitoring. App blocking. Can be used on IPads and PC as well as IOS and Android.

Kaspersky – This is an Anti-virus software for PC and handheld devices. It protects against viruses and Phishing activity. It also monitors screen time and uses Geo-location. Can be used on windows, mac, Android and IOS.

Ourpact – Allows parents and carers to block individual apps or give time limits to them. Sets daily screen time allowance. Allows for web filtering and geolocation. Allows you to view online activity. Can be used with both IPhone and Android