e-Safety in Schools

The Safe Use of New Technologies - New Ofsted Report

2010-02-11T10:27:00Z

On the 10th February 2010, Ofsted published its report: "The Safe Use of New Technologies". This report is based on evidence from a small-scale survey carried out between April and July 2009 in 35 maintained schools in England (Including a variety of settings including Primary, Secondary, Special, PRU contexts), which included a Primary and a Secondary School in Kent! The report evaluated the extent to which the schools taught pupils to adopt safe and responsible practices in using new...(read more)

New and updated Think U Know resources from CEOP

2010-02-04T13:35:00Z

Brand new and updated resources are now available from CEOP in time for Safer Internet Day (9 th Feb 2010) "Lee and Kim's Adventures: Animal Magic". New KS1/Foundation Stage Resource Lee and Kim's adventure is a cartoon which features Lee and his sister Kim playing on their favourite online game "Animal Magic". The video explains the dangers of sharing personal information and introduces Superhero SID who protects children on the internet! The video includes SID's...(read more)

Safer Internet Day - New Childnet Resources

2010-02-02T10:40:00Z

Safer Internet Day is now just a week away and Childnet International have put together the following resources to aid schools in preparing for it: Check out 10 quick ideas for both PRIMARY and SECONDARY teachers around the theme of 'think before you post'. Childnet & SWGfL have devised 'think before you post' related drama activities and scenarios for SECONDARY audiences - " With Friends Like These " 'Know IT All' update On Safer Internet Day itself (9th Feb...(read more)

Safer Internet Day 2010 - are you taking part?

2010-01-26T13:10:00Z

European Safer Internet Day (SID) 2010 istaking place on Tuesday 9th February. SID10 is be supported by countries throughout Europe and during the week (from Monday 8th February – Friday 12th February 2010), a range of activities will be taking place across the continent to help protect young people online. The theme for SID10 is ‘Think Before You Post’ and it is hoped that the whole week will be a week of action across Kent and in the UK. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP...(read more)

Microsoft parents e-safety training event for schools

2010-01-11T15:00:00Z

Microsoft UK are offering Schools the chance to offer and host free online sessions for parents on internet safety to support Safer Internet Day 2010 on the 9th February and the launch of the new digital code for children "Zip it, Block it, Flag it". Places are limited and Microsoft are asking that schools register by the 28th January if they wish to join These virtual sessions offer schools the opportunity to host a parents evening with a presentation led by a Microsoft volunteer to inform...(read more)

e-Safety ICT Themes for Primary Schools

2010-01-11T14:42:00Z

A collection of useful websites with curriculum guidance, which can be used in Primary Schools to compliment ICT themes across Key Stage One and Two has been posted on the new Kent ICT website. Key e-Safety issues are explored with some suggestions to help staff overcome potential barriers in the classroom. These resources and web links were gathered together by the Advisory Service Kent's Primary ICT team and Kent's e-Safety Officer. If you have any suggestions for useful e-Safety websites...(read more)

Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

2010-01-05T09:54:00Z

It has been bought to Kent County Council's attention that many Local Authorities are blocking a teaching resource website: www.sparklebox.co.uk . Although this website is popular with schools, CEOP has issued a statement supporting both this action and the following statement from South West Grid for Learning: “It is understood that a person who is on the record as an owner and director of Sparklebox Teacher Resources Limited (which appears to claim ownership of the SparkleBox web site and children...(read more)

“Think before you post” – Safer Internet Day 2010 Competition

2009-12-18T12:09:00Z

What does "think before you post" mean to you? CEOP (The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) are inviting young people to create and post a video clip to show them what this statement means to you and why it is so important to be safe on the internet - make your entry as original, exciting or as edgy as you like. The clip can be anything you like - they want to know what you think! This is a competition that is open for 8-16 year olds to create a short film (1-3 minutes long...(read more)

New Facebook Privacy Settings

2009-12-11T12:44:00Z

Did you know about the New Facebook Privacy Settings? Facebook have recently ‘revamped' their Privacy Settings which they say will enable users to have more control over the information they share and post online. These changes include: A "simpler" Privacy page and some settings have been consolidated. For security reasons, you will now be required to enter your password to update your privacy settings. A privacy control has been added to the publisher at the top of your home and profile...(read more)

UKCCIS holds Summit to launch "Click Clever Click Safe: The First UK Child Internet Safety Strategy."

2009-12-08T08:53:00Z

Today 300 delegates from across government, industry, law enforcement and the third sector will attend the UKCCIS Summit in London for the launch of the first Child Internet Safety Strategy and Digital Code for internet safety. ‘Click Clever Click Safe’ , was drawn up by the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) and will be launched by the Prime Minister at the first UKCCIS Summit in London today. Young people now have much greater online access than ever before, with research showing that...(read more)

New educational film for parents - "Not knowing's not enough"

2009-12-07T13:18:00Z

Orange have launched a new e-Safety education video for parents called "Not knowing's not enough". The video considers the fears and concerns that parents and carers (indeed many adults) have about the internet and could be a fantastic starting point to create discussion around the topic at parents events or staff meetings. The film depicts children returning home from school, dropping their school bags and going straight to their rooms to go online. The resulting discussions from their...(read more)

Anti-bullying Week 2009 – Be Safe in Cyberspace

2009-11-05T11:02:00Z

The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) is calling on all schools in England to take part in Anti-Bullying Week 2009, which takes place 16 -20 November. The focus will be on cyberbullying - the use of information communications technology (ICT), particularly mobile phones and the internet, to deliberately upset someone else. Research has found that more than a third of 12-15-year-olds have faced some form of cyberbullying. This year's campaign ‘Stay safe in cyberspace' offers schools a wealth of...(read more)

Vodaphone e-Safety Site for Parents

2009-10-19T15:33:00Z

Vodafone have launched the first comprehensive website to support parents understand their children's online activities and support them in their digital world. The Vodafone Parents' Guide , has been developed with leading parenting website Mumsnet and tested extensively to ensure it builds parents' confidence. The aim of the website is to help parents play an active and essential role in their children's digital world and to get to grips with their use of mobiles and other online...(read more)

Ofcom: Young people want advice about online privacy and new Parental Guides available

2009-09-03T12:29:00Z

Young People and Privacy Ofcom today published research showing 54 per cent of 11-16 year olds in the UK say young people need advice about how to keep their personal information online private. Many children and young people also believe that information is needed on how to keep security information such as password and PIN numbers safe (28 per cent), how to avoid inappropriate content online (22 per cent) and how to deal with cyberbullying (20 per cent). Nearly a quarter of children and young people...(read more)

myguide: Building parents’ and carers’ confidence online

2009-08-25T08:30:00Z

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...(read more)

First Cyberbully jailed in UK

2009-08-25T08:22:00Z

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...(read more)

Childnet Kidsmart website launches new “Skills School”

2009-08-20T09:54:00Z

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...(read more)

Safeguarding online - Explaining the risk posed by violent extremism

2009-08-18T12:55:00Z

The internet is a huge source of positive experiences that offers unprecedented opportunities for global information exchange, communication, networking and education. However, alongside these benefits are risks, often similar to those in the offline world. 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...(read more)

NEW Attorney General’s Youth Network Program

2009-08-18T09:44:00Z

An opportunity from CEOP for Young People (or those who work with them) aged 14-18: 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...(read more)

e-Safety Dates for the Diary

2009-07-24T08:39:00Z

Please note and mark the following e-Safety events in your diary! 8th September 2009: Insafe Back-to-School campaign Insafe will celebrate the entry to the new school year and mark international literacy day with a brand new portal for increased interactivity. At its launch, the portal will feature information and activities for students and pupils and guide them to the national language websites of the 27 countries that make up the Insafe network. A blog and forum will provide a new platform for...(read more)

New look Teachtoday website launches

2009-07-09T14:47:00Z

A collaboration of the world's leading communication providers including Buongiorno, Deutsche Telekom, Facebook, Google, GSM Association, Microsoft, MySpace, Orange FT Group, Telecom Italia, Telefonica and Vodafone have re-launched the Teachtoday website at http://www.teachtoday.eu . Teachtoday is specifically designed to help teachers manage the challenges, both inside and outside the classroom, presented by online technologies such as Facebook, YouTube, mobile internet services and services...(read more)

Childnet International Youth IGF Project

2009-06-19T10:41:00Z

Childnet International are currently running the Youth IGF Project to capture the voice of children and young people to take to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) a UN mandated meeting in the Autumn. The IGF is a four day international gathering that gives governments, the internet industry, organisations and individuals the space to debate what should happen to the Internet in the coming years thinking specifically about Access, Openness, Diversity and Security. Historically the IGF has had little...(read more)

The Children's Charities' Coalition for Internet Safety launch their Digital Manifesto

2009-06-19T09:04:00Z

The Children's Charities Coalition on Internet Safety ( CHIS ) has launched its "Digital Manifesto", which it is sending to all the political parties represented in the Westminster Parliament, the Scottish Parliament and the Assemblies in Northern Ireland and Wales. The manifesto asks the parties to commit themselves to supporting the policies and recommendations which the children's charities have made in the document and indicates that details of all responses received will be...(read more)

EU Kids Online Final Report

2009-06-15T08:10:00Z

The EU Kids Online Final report (Sonia Livingstone and Leslie Haddon) has been released. The report offers a balanced picture of issues in e-safety and promoting online opportunity for young people across Europe. The EU Kids Online project (2006-2009) examines European research on cultural, contextual and risk issues in children's safe use of the internet and new media across 21 countries. It is funded by Safer Internet plus Programme ). You can find the final report here: http://www.lse.ac.uk...(read more)

Ofsted responses to Laming inquiry and Singleton report

2009-06-08T10:40:00Z

On 12 March, Lord Laming published his report T he Protection of Children in England: A Progress Report . The Government accepted all of his recommendations and has now published an action plan, setting out its detailed response. Schools should be aware of Ofsted's response to both Lord Laming's inquiry and to Sir Roger Singleton's report Keeping Our Children Safe, a review of safeguarding arrangements in independent schools, non-maintained special schools and boarding schools in England...(read more)

The Big Stand - take a stand against Cyberbullying

2009-05-11T12:53:00Z

Beatbullying is asking every every person in the UK, young people and adults, to stand up at 10am on Thursday 14 May, as a national sign of defiance against bullying and cyberbullying and in solidarity with the millions of young people being bullied and cyberbullied. A free lesson plan and worksheet , along with other information, is available on the Beatbullying website . Schools can also sign up to take part, and can purchase stickers highlighting Cybermentors , a website for children and young...(read more)

IWF reports global decrease in child sexual abuse websites

2009-04-30T12:15:00Z

The Internet Watch Foundation reports that the number of websites showing and selling images of child abuse has fallen by 10% in the last 12 months. "These websites, although reducing in number, represent an extremely serious problem," said Peter Robbins, chief executive of the IWF. Of the 1,536 unique domains known to the IWF as hosting images of child abuse, 74% were run for profit. The remaining sites were places abusers shared or swapped images. In its report, the IWF said: "1...(read more)

New resource from Childnet: Know It All for Primary Schools

2009-04-24T08:06:00Z

A new resource from Childnet International is now available: Know IT All for Primary Schools. This resource has been produced specifically for the primary sector with support from Becta, the TDA and the UK Council for Child Internet Safety; KIA for Primary Schools aims to engage with primary aged children and all those working with them. The resource has 2 main components: 1) A DVD for children with a film animation, 'The adventures of Kara, Winston and the SMART crew'. The five episodes...(read more)

New DCSF guidance on cyberbullying of school staff

2009-04-17T10:11:00Z

On the 15th April, 2009 Childnet International and the DCFS launched new guidance on Cyberbullying in relation to ‘Supporting School Staff'. This new document builds on the 2007 Safe to Learn Cyberbullying guidance, and provides advice for employers of school staff - Local Authorities and governing bodies. It also offers advice for school staff about keeping themselves and their personal information safe. This important advice was written in consultation with the DCSF Cyberbullying Taskforce...(read more)

Becta’s “Oh, nothing much” report

2009-04-15T11:09:00Z

The majority of parents say that they don't know as much about their child's day at school as they would like too, according to the " Oh, Nothing Much report " commissioned by Becta to support its Next Generation Learning campaign. The survey of 1,000 children aged between 7 and 14 years and 1,000 parents in the UK, reveals that 43% of parents admit they find it difficult or very difficult to extract information from their child about their day at school. Other important findings...(read more)