e-Safety in Schools

Children's Minister Delyth Morgan yesterday launched a new facility on myguide, a free and easy-to-use tool to help parents and carers catch up with their children when it comes to the Internet.

"myguide" helps provide the next step in the Government's implementation of Dr Tanya Byron's review of internet safety. myguide can be used independently, with the support of a friend or family member, or with help from experts in one of the thousands of UK online centres based in libraries and community organisations.

The updates to myguide now includean interactive guidance course and quiz to help families manage the risks while enjoying the benefits of the web. It includes many of the top parental concerns about the internet, from phishing and spam to online rogue traders and extremist websites, from chat rooms to music file-sharing, and from stealth marketing to safety filters. The site stresses the importance of open family discussions and where to go for additional information and help.

Launching the new resource, Children’s Minister Delyth Morgan said: "Today's generation of children and young people are often much more computer savvy than their parents, something that can be of great concern as mums, dads and carers look to keep their children safe online without restricting their enthusiasm for and exploration of the Internet. The free myguide service is designed specifically for people in this situation. The new Family Internet Safety guide will help people become more knowledgeable about the risks and how to manage them. It will be particularly useful for the many thousands of parents who will be participating in the Home Access programme when it is rolled out nationally from the end of the year. myguide will be an important part of the support for the programme to help parents make effective use of the Home Access computers and Internet connectivity to support their children's learning."

Commenting, Dr Tanya Byron, author of the review, Safer Children in a Digital World, said:  "Parents need to be internet-confident to be able to help their children manage its risks and make the most of its opportunities. Since my Review, the Government has made good progress on making my recommendations a reality. The UK Council for Children's Internet Safety (UKCCIS) has been established, advice has been published for parents on Social Networking, and a new set of resources, 'Know IT All for primary teachers', has been launched to help schools keep young children safe online. Now, another gap has been filled with the new myguide resource. This means that parents just beginning to learn about the internet can from the outset learn how to keep their children safe and savvy online."

A Worcestershire teenager is thought to be the first person in Britain jailed for social network bullying after threatening to kill someone on Facebook.

In jailing 18-year-old Keeley Houghton up for three months in a young offenders institution, District Judge Bruce Morgan described the online bullying of 18-year-old Emily Moore as "warped" and "nasty" after hearing how she had been targeted on the popular site. He stated "Since Emily Moore was 14 you have waged compelling threats and violent abuse towards her. Bullies are by their nature cowards, in school and society. The evil, odious effects of being bullied stay with you for life."

Houghton sobbed throughout the hearing at Worcester Magistrates today as it was described how she had targeted Miss Moore for four years since they had been at school together, and had left the message on Facebook saying she was going to "murder" her and other abusive messages.

Miss Moore stated "I am so relieved. My blood used to run cold reading her comments. Her abuse consumed my every waking moment for the past four years. I got so scared I couldn't even turn on the computer."

As well as the three-month term of detention, Houghton was given a restraining order banning her from contacting Miss Moore in person, via the internet or in any other manner for five years. Read more on the case here

This case is a landmark in the fight against cyberbullying, as Internet users have previously been jailed for harassment on social networking sites but Houghton is the first to be convicted of bullying via the internet.

Emma-Jane Cross, chief executive of charity Beatbullying, said the sentencing was the first of its kind in the UK. She said although cyber-bullying is increasing, the government, networking sites like Facebook and charities should work together to tackle the problem of bullying generally.

"The sentencing of an 18-year-old girl for cyberbullying is the first of its kind in the UK and sets an important precedent. Cyber-bullying is a worrying and fast-growing trend which can be more harmful than typical schoolyard bullying. However, the solution is not to limit young people's internet access and phone usage, instead, social networking sites like Facebook, along with the Government and charities like Beatbullying, must work together to tackle the real root of the problem - the bullying itself."

If you or someone you know has been effected by Cyberbullying then visit the Cybermentors site for advice and information.

Childnet are considering suggestions for new video guides so send requests in to Kidsmart or contact or follow them via twitter 

I've put in a request for a Facebook guide as it seems to be very popular with young people in Kent Schools, including those under 13 despite the minimum age limit imposed under COPPA (the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act).

Schools frequently ask me how we can discuss the safe use of sites such as Facebook, Bebo and MSN with under 13s, without being seen to be promoting them (and the fact they are nearly always filtered in educational settings).  I think the Skills School could be seen as one possible alternative due to its impartiality and ease of use with young people and adults. It's a resource that can be recommended to young people and their parents if a concern is raised or be used as part of a PSHE or ICT scheme of work/session.

The Kent Video "Be Safe e-Safe" was also launched to be aimed at transition aged students who might be using social networking sites without considering the dangers. The video is available to watch online here and the hard copy version contains 3 guides to MSN, Facebook and Bebo. A copy was sent to all Schools in Kent and Medway but to request a copy contact the e-Safety Officer  (please note number are extremely limited).

The offline risks of terrorism and violent extremism are well-known, and these are mirrored online. Terrorists and violent extremists exploit the internet for both operational purposes and as a tool for radicalisation and recruitment. This represents a serious risk to vulnerable individuals using the internet.

The Office for Security and Counter Terrorism in the Home Office has produced a document "Safeguarding online - Explaining the risk posed by violent extremism" which explains the risks posed by violent extremist material on the internet. The leaflet provides case studies, highlights legal issues and offers advice to individuals and schools on how to protect vulnerable individuals from this type of material.

The Attorney General's Youth Network encourages young people to understand and respect the law, and contribute to citizenship education (including increasing understanding of the justice system and of an individual's rights and responsibilities).

 A competition is being launched to encourage young people to explore issues on citizenship and the rule of law. The competition and development of an Attorney General's Youth Advisory Council, as part of the Youth Network activities, is designed to involve young people aged 14-18 in the processes of government and law. Through the Attorney general's Youth Advisory Council, young people will be encouraged to share an open dialogue to discuss opinions/ideas on relevant matters within the state and their local communities.

 The competition closes at midnight on 16th September.  A panel will select up to 30 top entries selected, the winning entrants will be invited to become members of the Attorney General's Youth Advisory Council. The first meeting of the Youth Advisory Council will be held by November, and those selected will be announced on the 22nd September at a launch event in London. The top three entries will receive an Attorney General award. This is the chance to be recognised and to make a real difference. The Attorney General will write to those selected for the Attorney General Youth Advisory Council, their head teachers and local MP's congratulating them on their achievement.

 (Please note that if you are short listed for the top entries your entry may be featured on the website or other publicised material.)

 Youth Advisory Council role and key aims

Key Aims: ‘Leading and Influencing Change'

• To involve young people in the processes of government and law, and facilitate and promote dialogue, bringing a real and fresh perspective about youth issues.

Role:

• To consult with young people and local community groups on legal issues and policies that concerns young people.

• To collect, analyse & provide the Attorney General with information on issues and policies in law concerning young people.

• To consider methods to resolve youth-related conflicts

• To partner with local organisations on shared issues

• To prepare for youth leadership through participation

• To propose recommendations to improve the lives of young people

• Meetings will be held with the Attorney General at least twice each year.

Young people can visit www.youtube.com/agyouthnet<http://www.youtube.com/agyouthnet> for more information and to submit their entries.

Kind Regards,

 CEOP Education Team