E-Safety
The internet is an integral part of our lives and an important and useful resource for all of us.
With the development of new technology its availability and easy access has become a normal part of the lives of children and young adults. It is vital that we do all that we can to ensure the safe use of the internet and all work together on the issue of e-safety.
As part of our curriculum and pastoral support, all students spend time investigating e-safety and all aspects of staying safe online. They are encouraged to report any negative issues they may encounter online to a trusted adult which includes all school staff. Students are informed how to report cyber bullying and e-safety posters are being updated to be displayed in prominent positions around school.
Young people may see “sexting” as harmless activity but there are risks. Taking, sharing or receiving an image, even voluntarily, can have a long lasting negative impact. It may be common but “sexting” is illegal. By sending an explicit image, a young person is producing and distributing child abuse images and risks being prosecuted, even if the picture is taken and shared with their permission.
Contact
If you have any concerns regarding E-Safety please contact the school on 01474533802 or email NTC’s ESafety Director
Top Tips for Families
- Talk to your child about what they’re up to online. Be a part of their online life; involve the whole family and show an interest.
- Encourage your child to go online and explore sites which are fun, educational and that will help them to develop online skills.
- Keep up-to-date with your child’s development online.
- Set boundaries in the online world just as you would in the real world. Think about what they might see, what they share, who they talk to and how long they spend online.
- Keep all equipment that connects to the internet in a family space.
- Know what connects to the internet and how. Make sure you’re aware of which devices that your child uses to connect to the internet, such as their phone or games console.
- Use parental controls on devices that link to the internet, such as the TV, laptops, computers, games consoles and mobile phones.
Social Networking
The use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter are becoming increasingly popular. This is despite the fact that you have to be 13 years old in order to have a Facebook profile.
There is a wealth of advice online about social networking sites. Please click on the links below for further support:
Please click here on how to prevent a child from being abused.Please click here to find out how secondary school students can get help.Please click here for advice on using social networking sites safely.
Protecting Yourself
Using computers and similar devices to go online has made everyday activities such as shopping, banking, paying bills and keeping in touch fast and easy … anytime, anywhere. There are, however, a number of risks associated with going online – some general and some specific to the respective activities that you carry out.
There are a number of sensible and simple measures which you need to take in order to protect yourself against these risks, which include identity theft, criminals stealing your personal and financial data to defraud you or empty your bank account. The precautions are as simple as choosing safe passwords and ensuring you have adequate antivirus/antispyware installed, to learning how to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent websites and emails.
Useful websites
- Please click here on how to stay safe on the internet.
- Please click here for advice from Kent Police on staying safe on the internet.
- Please click here Childnet resources.
- Please click here for help and advice for Parents from the NSPCC.
- Please click here for the CEOP website.
If you are worried about a child and need some advice call 0808 800 5000 (NSPCC).