e-Safety in Schools - All Comments

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.

There is of course nothing to stop staff accessing this website for resources from outside of school. 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.

re: Byron Review - The Next Steps

Doug Dickinson — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:07:24 GMT

The timetable is too long ... by this time next year we will all have moved on a long way and many of the things in the review will not be as relevant as they are now

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

Jason Mellor — Tue, 13 May 2008 09:16:11 GMT

Since no-one ever leaves comments here, I worry that your important messages are not reaching those that need to hear them.

Perhaps a higher profile approach is needed?

re: Interesting article from InSafe: Social networking and the formation of character

Sophie — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:18:55 GMT

I think I would have to disagree with one of Luison's generalisations here: "[Social networking websites] discourage deep and reflective thinking – not to mention proper spelling!"

I'd really be interested as to how one would quantify what constitutes"deep and reflective thinking" in young people. Who's to say that the thought that goes into creating and maintaining a MySpace site, choosing the music, colour scheme, image etc. and choosing what to write - isn't deep and reflective? And if one is saying that it isn't - well then, what is?

re: Mobility and Internet Safety for Children

Alan — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 19:58:47 GMT

I think this is a really useful and thought provoking summary ... and I like the emphasis on the benefits rather than the dangers!

re: What is Myspace?

Catch UP Lady — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 19:31:45 GMT

I think education on this issue is key, no matter how you do it. Parents, kids and teachers need to work together to educate each other on the ins and outs of the internet. Resources like Cybertipline where you can support anything sketchy you see online are also key in winning this battle!

re: IMSafer Filters, Not Spies, on Kids

Brandon Watson — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 19:55:46 GMT

Alan, that is my personal blog, and kudos to you for finding it. Most people think I am the outfielder for one of our baseball teams. :) As for my expletive laden post on my personal blog, well, I was having a tough week. If you read the post before it, you will see that I was laid up in the hospital for an emergency surgery, and my family wasn't calling. I vented a little...

I am actually not Mr. Anonymous and am happy to chat with anyone on email or IM about who we are, and what we are doing. We have actively been engaging the community on our two blogs, and would love to see you over there. I'm a fairly normal guy with no secrets. I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, and then from the Wharton School of Business. I have worked for Microsoft and for George Soros during my career. I have a wife, a kid and another one on the way.

As for our engine, we haven't revealed too much about how we are detecting the predators, because, as you noted, we don't want to give too much away. We have been working with law enforcement to make sure we are looking for the right things, but we can't say much more than that.

Come on over and join the IMSafer community. Engage with us in the conversation about keeping kids safe online.

Brandon Watson
CEO, IMSafer

re: IMSafer Filters, Not Spies, on Kids

Alan — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 17:30:48 GMT

Further to ... who is the CEO of IMSafer? I have carried out research on the web, and I now have some more details. This is his blog:

http://bwatson.typepad.com/

Thats as much provenance as there is. he is Mr anonymous. Do you still want to send him and his anonymous friends all your childrens IM details? He looks fine and safe, but where's the data stored? I bet its hosted on someone elses server.

There is mention of a board of driectors. Who they?

Look at his entry for August 16th, lots of use of expletives!

My point is that we need to be cautious!

re: IMSafer Filters, Not Spies, on Kids

Alan — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 16:33:09 GMT

I'm not sure about the promotion of services such as this. It calls itself a small company in Houston, Texas. How do you know who they are? who runs it? They have access to IM accounts given willingly to a completely anonymous firm in another country. They then have email accounts and registration details?

I also worry about them giving details about the sort of phrases they use as traps, ... its a sure way of predators avoiding being caught.

Just a thought.

re: Schoolgirl web bully 'lucky to avoid jail'

AlanDay — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 09:39:14 GMT

This is a good point. In this case there was clear evidence that could be scrutinised.

Most school bullying is subversive, surrounded by an unwillingness to talk about it, and seeks to isolate and humiliate the victim.

Cyber bullying is different in that the audience is often anonymous and reaches well outside the usual social networks. The humiliation is magnified, and often amplified by people who fuel the flames, yet have no direct connection to the victim or perpetrators.

Also, things that start as a prank can get spiral out of control, and beyond the initial instigators intentions, so we must be cautious about setting the full weight of the abuse at the door of the initial perpetrator.

What is needed is effective evidence gathering, and a moderation of the anonymity. I personally can't see how any control can be exercised over the online environment; therefore it has to be (as in other areas where morality is implied) a process of education.

re: Warning over Social Site abuse (BBC Article 14.09.06)

coz. — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 19:20:55 GMT

there is no oversight, no rules and nobody at bebo or myspace care a jot. Is it really surprising? restrictions lower income. its simple. as an example there used to be lawless towns in the past. what is the only answer? laws, policing, courts and punishment. simple isn't it? imagine any form of social situation where the law does not apply (other than a monastery or similar situation driven by belief), where you can't be punished, where you can't be caught. The law hasn't caught up. It will have to at some point.