Keeping Children Safe Online

Here are some tips and useful links to help you to keep your children safe online:

Please take the opportunity to visit these links to find information and complete activities, which will promote a wider awareness of e-Safety issues.

Children at Ysgol Pen Rhos use the Internet on a regular basis as part of their learning. Technology enhances learning, and we  want to ensure pupils get the most from it, by encouraging responsible online behaviour. 

In school, we use a filtering system to prevent children accessing inappropriate sites. We also have regular 'e-safety' activities to remind children of the importance of keeping themselves safe online.

Keep your computer in a shared area: Talk to your child about what they are doing online and, if possible, set up your computer in a shared area at home so that you can all share in the wonderful sites that are available online.

Facebook/bebo/Myspace: Many of these sites have a minimum age limit of 13, so our pupils should NOT be using them.

Gaming: Gaming is fun but can be all consuming. Why not use the gamming console safety settings to help control age rated games and the amount of time spent online. Pay attention to the PEGI (age) ratings and what they mean.

PEGI: www.pegi.info/

Instant messaging: Instant messaging is a fast, fun way to speak to friends and family. Ensure your child understands that they may be talking to people they do not know so a conversation about what is appropriate or not to send is a good idea.

Cyberbullying: Remember, it is not the technology but the behaviour of the bully that is the problem. Would your child turn to you if they needed help? It’s always worth talking about bullying issues and making sure your child is supported. Reporting incidents not only helps your child but others too.

Anti Bullying Alliance: www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Support the cause in creating a diverse and inclusive Internet for all

General

Internet Matters: www.internetmatters.org

Digital Parenting Magazine: www.vodafone.com/content/parents/digital-parenting.html

Carmarthenshire Social Networking Guide for Parents and Staff:

Carmarthenshire County Council believes that the use of information and communication technologies in schools brings great benefits. Recognising the e-safety challenges and planning accordingly will help to ensure appropriate, effective, safe and positive use of electronic communications.