What is e-Safety?
E-safety stands for electronic safety, it is not just about keeping safe on the internet but also keeping safe on all electronic devices such as mobile phones, television etc. The internet is such an integral part of children’s lives these days. It opens up so many educational and social opportunities, giving them access to, quite literally, a world of information and experiences. Whether on a computer at school, a laptop at home, a games console or mobile phone, children and young people are increasingly accessing the internet whenever they can and wherever they are.
As you would protect your child in the real world, you will want to make sure that they are safe whatever they are doing. Like learning to cross the road, online safety skills are skills for life. If your child understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online, they can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so – particularly from those people who might seek them out to harm them.
Internet access within school is provided by Portsmouth City Council. It provides filtered access to standards set by the government agency Becta. Access to social networking sites such as Facebook, MSN etc are all blocked. They also filter websites based on keywords.
So, how can you protect your child online?
The answer is simple. If you understand the internet and understand what the risks are, there are a number of things you can do that will make your child safer online…
Click here for more information from Thinkyouknow.co.uk
Source CEOP.
Good information is also available from the NSPCC on issues including sexting and parental controls.
Microsoft offer a home filtering system that you might be interested in Family Safety as well as information on e-safety.
The BBC have an excellent site for developing your children’s e-safety skills CBBC Stay Safe
KidSMART– learn about the internet and being a SMART surfer.
