Internet Safety
The internet is an amazing resource which enables children and young people to connect, communicate and be creative in a number of different ways, on a range of devices.
However, the internet is always changing, and being able to keep up to date with your children’s use of technology can be a challenge. (www.saferinternet.org.uk)
Keep talking to your child about what they are doing online.
- understand that they'll be using the internet to research homework as well talking to their friends.
- ask your child to show you what they enjoy doing online
- be positive but also open about anything you're worried about. You could say "I think this site's really good" or "I'm a little worried about things I've seen here."
- ask them if they're worried about anything, and let them know they can come to you.
- ask them about their friends online and how they know they are who they say they are
- ask your child what they think's okay for children of different ages so they feel involved in the decision making (from NSPCC.org.uk)
How to Set up Parental Controls to Limit Age-Inappropriate Content for both Android and iPhone
The parental controls on smartphones allow you to block or restrict certain apps, features, content, downloads or purchases that might not be suitable for young people. Setting limitations around age ratings, Siri and web searches enables you to filter out age-inappropriate content and vastly reduce the likelihood of your children being exposed to potentially upsetting material and information.
In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as age-restricted content, explicit websites and inappropriate search results.
How to set up parental controls to limit age inappropriate content - iphone.pdf
How to set up parental controls to limit age inappropriate content.pdf
What Parents Need to Know about:
Age Ratings
A free online safety guide on Age Ratings, the means for adults to make an informed choice as to whether or not a game is suitable for their child through the PEGI (Pan European Game Information) system
Amazon Alexa
A free online safety guide on Amazon Alexa, an artificial intelligence (AI) software assistant created by Amazon in 2014 through which smartphone, tablet and smart device users can issue voice commands and ask questions.
Among Us
What Parents Need to Know about Among Us
Among Us is one of the most popular games of 2020. A space-themed ‘social deduction game’ where 4-10 players take on the guise of Crewmates, who must complete various tasks around their spaceship, while randomly selected Imposters must try their hardest to sabotage the others’ efforts. The Imposters have to remain undetected through rounds of voting to win. While Among Us is a largely safe game, it’s still prudent to be aware of any potential risks young ones might encounter when playing.
In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as hacking, mild violence and inappropriate language
Fortnite
Fortnite Chapter 2
Fortnite: Chapter 2 has whole host of new in-game features including a brand-new map, more water-based activities, upgraded character skins and a more streamlined arsenal of weapons, this Fortnite is promising to be the best yet. Almost all of the changes are cosmetic which means the concept of the game remains the same, with players still aiming to be the last man standing. Players will no doubt find the game much more enjoyable with so much more to explore. For parents and carers however, it pays to remain vigilant.
Hidden Photo Apps
Keeping our personal and digital content safe should be a priority for everyone. Using passwords and encryption techniques can add extra layers of security. But some apps, which have been specifically designed for this purpose, can be misused or encourage more secretive behaviour, particularly in relation to videos and photos. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help parents and carers understand exactly what these ‘hidden photo apps’ are and to raise an awareness of how and why they might be used by children and young people.
Online Content
What Parents Need to Know About Online Content: 10 Tips to Keep Your Children Safe Online
A free online safety guide providing parents and carers with advice and useful tips to help keep their children safe when accessing, viewing and engaging with content online.
What parents need to know about online content.pdf
Persuasive Design
What Parents Need to Know About Persuasive Design
A free online safety guide on persuasive design. Social Media can be really addictive, and sites want to keep users on their platforms for as long as possible.
Pokemon Go
The game generally provides a positive experience, but there are still some safety concerns to consider.
In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as environmental hazards, strangers and data collection.
What Parents need to know
Tik Tok
TikTok is a video-sharing social media app available on iOS and Android which lets users create, share, and view user created videos much in a similar manner to Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. It’s main draw, however, is that users can record and upload bite-sized looping videos of themselves lip-syncing and dancing to popular music or soundbites, often for comedic effect, which can then be further enhanced with filters, emojis and stickers. TikTok has been designed with the young user in mind and has a very addictive appeal.
Staying SAFE online - resources for parents / carers
- Think U Know - For parents who would like advice on how to take care of their children’s safety and security when using the internet at home.
- Net-Aware - A guide to social networks used by children. Up to date information on popular apps and games.
- NSPCC - NSPCC website with advice and videos to share with children about keeping safe online.
- Childnet - Information about parental controls and gaming.
- Internet Matters - Site that covers many aspects of internet safety and takes you through setting up parental controls on all gadgets in an easy to follow step by step guide.
- Get Safe Online - Online safety advice.
- Connect Safely - Parents’ guide to Instagram.
Online Bullying
Cyberbullying and online harassment can be extremely distressing. They can be even classed as criminal offences in some cases. There are lots of places that offer information and help to children and parents.
Here are some of the key websites that you can share with your child at home:
- Kidscape: www.kidscape.org.uk
- CBBC website: www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc
- ChildLine: www.childline.org.uk
- BeatBullying: www.beatbullying.org
What is cyber bullying and online harassment?
Making comments or posts that are deliberately abusive, offensive, threatening or inflammatory. Liking and sharing this kind of abuse can also count as bullying and harassment.
There's a very detailed definition of cyberbullying at:
www.bullying.co.uk/cyberbullying/what-is-cyberbullying/
How you can stay safer
- Think before you post;
- Keep personal information personal;
- Make the most of your privacy settings;
- Report cyberbullying to internet service providers.
Guides for Parents
Call of Duty - Black Ops 4
‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’ (COD) is an online first-person shooter game. It’s available on PC, Playstation 4 and Xbox One. COD allows players to choose different game modes, including a multiplayer mode, ‘Zombies’ mode and a ‘Blackout’ mode. In the game, players can customise their character and weapons. It has an age restriction of 18+ and has extremely violent themes, including language not suitable for those under the age of 18.
What parents need to know about Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Children's Devices Guide for Parents
Children's Devices
Children are using smart devices from a much younger age than ever before. Therefore it’s essential we talk to our children about how to use them safely. There are many positive benefits to the new technology at our disposal these days – but there are plenty of downsides too. As a parent or carer, it’s important you understand these risks and how you can take steps to protect your family against them.
Fortnite Battle Royale: Free Online Safety Guide for Parents and Carers
There’s a very good chance you’ve heard of Fortnite, but what exactly is it? And why is it so popular amongst young people?
Fortnite is an online multi-player “battle royale” game developed by Epic Games, and is playable on Playstation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobiles.
It gained popularity in late 2017 and has since become the biggest game in the world, thanks to its rapid and engaging gameplay.
Parent Guide
Nintendo Switch: A Free Online Safety Guide for Parents & Carers
The Switch is classed as a hybrid because it’s designed to be played both at home like a traditional console (think a PlayStation or an Xbox) or as a portable console, like a GameBoy.
Switch games can be played on the internet with the purchase of Nintendo Switch Online, presenting new online safety, e-shopping and screen time challenges for parents.
Top Tips for Parents
Policing vs Parenting: Get to grips with gaming
With concerns about escalating screen-time, the impact of violence, unexpected costs and interloping strangers it can be tempting to lock down video games to limit their negative impact.
While some sensible boundaries are helpful, they are only a short term solution for how we guide children towards gaming health.
Read this guide for some helpful parenting tips.
Parent Guide
Virtual Reality - What Parents Need to Know
Virtual Reality is the practice of creating computer-generated images or sometimes even entire worlds for a user to experience as if they were there.
While virtual reality is perfectly safe on the whole (although sometimes you might feel like you’re in real, physical danger) there are some things to look out for if you plan on giving it a try.
Safety Guide
Virtual-Reality_August_2019.pdf
What is Houseparty?
Houseparty is a great way to speak live-time to multiple people in different locations. It seems like the perfect way to keep in touch during these difficult times. But is the app safe? What should parents be aware of? And how can you protect your child’s privacy?
Created by the team at National Online Safety, this guide explores the main features that have made Houseparty so popular and the key themes that parents need to know about.
What is Like?
LIKE (soon to be rebranded as Likee) is a free video creation and editing app similar to TikTok. It has a global community of over 200 million users who can create any type of video, add their own special effects and then upload and share them with the world. The app is largely used to create short music videos which users can star in and edit anyway they want using the “Magic Video Maker.” Users share their videos on the platform as well as having the option to share across other social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram. Due to the suggestive content that is available on the app, it has a recommended age of 16+, although the app store rate it as 17+.
What every parent needs to know about Like
NOS-Like-Online-Safety-Guide.pdf
What is Omegle?
Omegle is a free online chat service which encourages users to either text or video chat with other users through their website. Individuals do not have to sign up nor register any details and the platform has very few content restrictions. Its slogan is ‘Talk to strangers!’.
Parents - be aware of the associated risks. Check what your children are doing online.
What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is a photo sharing app for mobile phones and tablets. The app allows users to share images for a limited number of seconds, chat with users before messages disappear, and share images with their friends list through a ‘story’. The age restriction is 13+.
Snapchat-Parents-Guide-May-2019.pdf
What is STEAM?
Chances are you may not have heard of Steam. In very simple terms, it’s an online marketplace where individuals can buy, download, stream and play PC games. There’s an extensive library of games available but it also has a built-in chat function and means you have to provide personal information when signing up.
What is Tumblr?
Tumblr is a popular social media platform and microblogging site with over 463 million blogs on its platform. In Europe you must be over 16 to sign up, but the age limit is just 13 elsewhere. However, in both cases, age verification is limited. The platform is designed to share different types of content, such as videos, photos or short articles. People can react to each other’s content, share items they like, and even interact through the platform with direct messages.
Please read through this Online Safety Guide for Parents
Tumblr Online Safety Guide
What is YOLO?
YOLO is an anonymous question and answer app that works in combination with Snapchat. In May 2019 it became the most downloaded app in the UK iTunes store only a week after its release and with no prior marketing or promotion. It has become hugely popular amongst children, particularly teenagers, as it offers them the opportunity to join in anonymous Q&A without having to reveal their identities, which often encourages more honest and open peer feedback. It has an age restriction of 13+.
YOLO Parents' Guide
YOLO-Parents-Guide-May-2019.pdf