Childnet Kidsmart website launches new “Skills School”
Childnet have launched new "How to guides" for young people,
teachers and parents on their
Kidsmart Website. The "
Skills School" features brief video clips with voice-overs
explaining how to use safety features of websites and services such as MSN, Bebo and
Google searching.
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).