e-Safety in Schools - All Comments

re: SuperClubs Plus

averyr01 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:19:09 GMT

Hi Chloe,

You can only have an account with superclubsplus if your school is registered to use the site. This is to help everyone keep safe online as it means people cannot lie about who they are on the site.

You can find out more by visiting the site here: www.scplus.com/.../index.php

re: Kent Community Network and Websense

averyr01 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:15:33 GMT

Hi Sam,

We're more than happy for people to use our materials or links for educational purposes as long as Kent County Council is referenced as the source.

Good luck with your studies!

Rebecca

re: SuperClubs Plus

chloe — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:34:46 GMT

hi i am chloe i really want an accout but how do i make one?

re: Kent Community Network and Websense

Sam Green — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 10:32:48 GMT

I am makeing a leaflet for my GCSE I.C.T course. I am writting to you to ask for permision to have a link for your website.

Thank you

re: e-Safety Incident - Alert for Schools and Settings

averyr01 — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:18:04 GMT

Hi Tim,

Many thanks for your comments. Point 3 is indeed something I have discussed with schools and many have adapted their letters accordingly.

With regards to points 1 and 2, due to an on-going Police investigation I am afraid that we are limited as to how much information we can release at this time hence why the information might be considered “vague”.

I can add that the content was accessed via a third party webcam application which the children accessed via a link on a friends Facebook profile. The children have been unable to tell us the exact name of the application involved, which is why we have been unable to name the service specifically. The link and incidents have been reported to the Police as it was a live webcam application and the incidents were reported several days after children accessed the content, which means the content is no longer accessible. The letter contains links to the Click CEOP button which then supports users in referring harmful or illegal to the IWF and to CEOP.

As mentioned in the text, the letter is provided as a template for schools to use and adapt and was created with involvement from schools and parents/carers. The letter does highlight that banning children from accessing these sites is not really the best option and that education on how to use the internet safely for both adults and children (and not just social networking sites) is crucial. We do have additional letters and resources, however due to the nature of the incident it was felt that a response was required sooner rather than later.

re: e-Safety Incident - Alert for Schools and Settings

Tim Davies — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:39:36 GMT

Hey Rebecca

Are you sure the draft letter is useful to parents it is current form?

I've got a number of concerns, presented as (I hope) a constructive critique below:

1) In using terms like 'serious incident', 'potentially illegal' and 'inappropriate' it creates a fear of something - without telling people what. With risks it helps to be specific - not euphemistic. Can you be specific about the risks faced - so parents can make decisions based on information, not vague fears.

2) Saying something was accessed via 'a link on Facebook' is near to saying 'a link on the Internet' - again the lack of specificity helps no-one. It matters whether or not that link was shared by a friend of the person (in which case the safety issue is about trust between friends), by a Facebook page (in which case the issue is about being careful of what pages you become a fan of) etc. (It also matters that if the material //was// illegal it has been reported to IWF or other authorities for take-down. Stating that you have done this would be a useful way to raise awareness of the responsible role of adults in ensuring illegal content is removed from the net).

3) Rather than the negative tone about 'banning access' - perhaps it is better to talk about "if your children are using online spaces such as Facebook when under 13, then it is important to talk with them about this and supervise such use. They should be aware that using Facebook under 13 is against Facebook's terms of service, and Facebook will delete any accounts of under 13s they discover. There other other online spaces designed for younger children, such as A, B, C (examples), and encouraging under 13s who want to interact online to use these spaces can be a positive way to respond to use of social networks targeted at older young people."

re: Father's football photos banned - Is this Child Protection gone mad????

Tresco — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:28:52 GMT

We have the same nonsense at motocross, kids are dressed head to toe in protective clothing, but photos are banned.

re: New CEOP Resources for young people with special needs and disabilities launched

averyr01 — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:19:35 GMT

Hi Sharon,

The resources above are from the education Team at CEOP and can be downloaded from http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk You should find that once your registration has been approved you have access to the videos and supporting lesson plans.

You may also find the information from Childnet International useful, although focused on younger children, it has some great resources

www.childnet.com/.../sen

We also have a variety of resources and links which you might find useful at www.kenttrustweb.org.uk

Rebecca Avery, e-Safety Officer

re: New CEOP Resources for young people with special needs and disabilities launched

SHARON EVERETT — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 15:52:40 GMT

I have applied to be registered - I would be very grateful for any information you could let me have because at present i am writing a lesson plan to be used for our PRSH group. We are introducing a session on E-safety for groups of vulnerable adults with learning disabilities.

Should you not be able to help me perhaps you might be able to direct me to a suitable resource.

Many thanks

Sharon Everett

Community Nurse Practitioner

re: New Survey suggests that Social Networking is a bigger influence on girls than their parents

midkent — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 13:00:45 GMT

There is little doubt that the findings of this survey are absolutely true. While many of the older readers would like to think otherwise, Facebook and Social Media in general are a massive influence on our childrens lives.

What is needed is a strategy from education websites that somehow reaches those that are able to influence other users on these social sites into the importance of family life.

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Susie — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 17:52:12 GMT

Hello, if it helps, I now use www.twinkl.co.uk - definately worth checking out!

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Bucks NQT — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:12:47 GMT

My school (which I don't have authority to name on a public viewing site over a sensitive nature) has asked us to remove displays which show the Sparklebox title over the next few days, so we are not associated with this offender. A shame, as many of the website's resources were pretty good, but I don't want to be aiding their success by continuing to use the site.

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Anonymous Coward — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:00:14 GMT

He was "found guilty of making indecent images" also.

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Anon again — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:23:58 GMT

Granted this report is from the Mirror but it confirms that Samuel Kinge, the registered owner of Sparklebox, changed his name by deed poll from Daniel Kinge.

"On Friday [08.01.10] Kinge was jailed for 12 months at Worcester Crown Court after admitting downloading 424 indecent images of children."

www.mirror.co.uk/.../paedo-sir-faked-his-own-death-115875-21955207

There is also a News report at 02:03:35 on iPlayer www.bbc.co.uk/.../Nathan_Turvey_08_01_2010

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Anon — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:53:49 GMT

Why is everyone assuming this is a man or a paedophile? Unless thereis more information which i have not seen, all we know is that the person is a sex offender - I understand that for this reason people might choose to avoid the site but we can't make assumptions!

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

shocked by this — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:49:21 GMT

Yes, the resources are nice to use in the classroom but there are alternatives on the TES or communication4all to name just 2 very good websites.

I personally will not be using a website which CREATES INCOME FOR A PEADOPHILE. That is the crux of the matter for me.

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Kent Teacher — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:41:28 GMT

Personally I was never a big fan of the resources (Very 'samey' and limited for really enhancing learning) but understand that they were a useful timesaver for some.

However after this recent news I would NEVER be able to bring myself to use them and will be encouraging others to do the same, how can anyone justify using resources that profit such a man and his crimes, regardless of any perceived education value.

After reading about the story on TES I found this useful link with full details on the case which may help people to decide whether they wish to use the resources created by a man just sentenced for his second offence, for 1 year (not enough IMO) for making and possessing indecent images of children (including babies) www.brendenisteaching.com/sparkle.php

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

beckandem — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:32:29 GMT

I won't be using the resources anymore morally it's wrong. How can we use these resources with our children knowing that the owner is a registered sex offender.

I have been using the TES website and found many helpful resources, ideas and plans also try www.primaryresources.co.uk/

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Anon — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:17:35 GMT

The site provides fantastic resources which allow teachers more time for planning and assessment which are also a crucial element of a childs development.

As for 'duty of care' the use of this website by teachers poses no risk to children in the classroom. And only enhances the learning environment.

To state that teachers can use the website from home is not only contradictory, but also unworkable and unreasonable.

re: New Facebook Privacy Settings

averyr01 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:18:11 GMT

Also useful to read is a briefing note prepared by Penny Patterson from Lgfl. The note is not aimed at the use of Facebook in school, but has implications for esafety and privacy for all Facebook users - adults and young people.

You can download the briefing note cms.lgfl.net/.../get_file

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Anonymous Coward — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:26:07 GMT

The question is the risk to *your* children or the risk to *any* children. The toolbar generates revenue, which could have been used to carry out his illegal activities.

Morally it's wrong. I don't particularly want influence from this person in my childs' school, even more so when this person was a teacher himself.

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

averyr01 — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:20:23 GMT

Hello Graham, many thanks for your comment.

At the moment due to the ongoing Police investigation into this case (including the website itself and the owner) we are only allowed access to limited information so as not to affect or bias the proceedings. Hopefully in the near future we will know more about the situation and will be able to decide whether to re-allow access to Sparklebox or if we need to permanently block the website. We are currently erring on the side of caution until we are satisfied that suitable safeguarding arrangements are in place.

Alternatives to some of the resources can be found on the TES resource bank www.tes.co.uk/resourcehub.aspx

Unfortunately, we can't always verify owners of websites much like in the real world, however when such websites or concerns are bought to our attention or to other agencies such as the Police or CEOP then we will act together to try and ensure that both staff and young people are protected.

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Graham Bissett — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:57:09 GMT

What is th risk to children? Can any link be proven between the website and the owner's very illegal activities? If not, why should this valuable resouce be blocked? Can we be sure that any other websites that teachers are using are not owned/hosted by unsavoury individuals?

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

averyr01 — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 10:31:57 GMT

More information can be found via Safetynet: lists.becta.org.uk/.../001111.html

As soon as we have anymore information or details we will update this blog entry.

Many thanks

re: Kent Statement re the blocking of Sparklebox

Stuart Lawton — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 20:33:35 GMT

I'd be grateful if you can post a link to the CEOP statement about this action. Thank you for your help.

re: Internet safety lesson plans for KS2 & 3

averyr01 — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 09:53:54 GMT

The resources on this page can now be found at http://www.kidsmart.org.uk

http://old.kidsmart.org.uk/

re: Internet safety lesson plans for KS2 & 3

Sheila — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:11:27 GMT

Unfortunately, none of the links work to open any of the lesson plans or worksheets which is a shame as I would liked to have seen them.

re: Kent Community Network and Websense

Mrs.Sullivan — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:55:21 GMT

To whom it may concern,

I am a teaching assistant at All Souls CEP and I conduct interventions on Phonics with my Year 5/6 and also do a spelling club.

I need to use a certain website which contains a lot of activities on phonics, but, unfortunately, it's blocked. This is the site -

(www.northwood.org.uk/phonics.htm). Could you possibly unblock it, so I could use it in my teaching.

Kind Regards,

Mrs. Sullivan

re: Your Views required - e-Safety in Kent Schools

Charlie Pepper. Director of Learning ICT — Fri, 23 May 2008 09:36:37 GMT

Since our ThinkUKnow training, we have given e-safety a massive push within our school. All students within our school (1200) were given the traning and we also held information evening sessions to our students parents. We also contacted our local primary schools to talk with their members of staff on the importance of e-safety. I personally feel that not enough is done to raise awareness about the dangers on-line, but the biggest problem is trying to educate the parents on the dangers that lurk behind the computer screen. Most parents are not aware of these. The Internet Safety Day, which was held on the 12th February, highlighted some of the issues surrounding E-Safety and our school featured heavily in this, however more awareness needs to be raised to teachers, carers and parents.

re: Your Views required - e-Safety in Kent Schools

Benjeddi — Tue, 20 May 2008 19:16:13 GMT

When it comes to e-safety the rules are: react after the event. I try to work on a preventative strategy, but it sometimes a struggle more that anything. Over the last 4 years we have been running a successful programme on e-safety called: Missing. this is a game based on a true story from Canada and the US, of a boy who was groomed and eventually kidnapped. Students had to play a role of the police and investigate the whole problem from how the boy groomed to rescuing him. This game hit a cord with all students, and they were really absorbed by the story and enjoyed doing it and discussing the issues raised in it.

Over the last two years we supplemented that with ThinkUKnow material. Very well designed but not interactive.

In my opinion:

If possible, we need to have something where the students can interact, investigate, do a risk assessment and even have different endings to an event that is based on their decision.

the parents need to be involved in identifying the risks and how to deal with them, the whole thing need to be a controlled environment where discussion can take place.

I am aware that this takes time, planning, good material etc..

but if we take the safety seriously, we must not do it by half, and it should be a big part of their education.