E-Safety

What is E-Safety?

E-safety is the safe use of information systems and electronic communications, including the internet, mobile phones and games consoles. It is important that children and young people understand the benefits, risks and responsibilities of using information technology.

e-safety concerns safeguarding children and young people in the digital world.
e-safety emphasises learning to understand and use new technologies in a positive way.
e-safety is less about restriction and more about education about the risks as well as the benefits so we can feel confident online.
e-safety is concerned with supporting children and young people to develop safer online behaviours both in and out of school.

Using the Internet safely at home

Whilst many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer filtering systems to help you safeguard your child at home, it remains surprisingly easy for children to access inappropriate material including unsuitable texts, pictures and movies. Parents are advised to set the security levels within Internet browsers with this in mind. Locating the computer or tablet in a family area, not a bedroom, will enable you to supervise children as they use the Internet. However, don’t deny your child the opportunity to learn from the wide variety of material and games available on the Internet. Instead, set some simple rules for keeping them safe and make sure they understand the importance of these rules.

Simple rules for keeping your child safe

To keep your child safe they should:
Ask permission before using the Internet
Only use websites you have chosen together or a child friendly search engine.
Only email people they know (why not consider setting up an address book?)
Ask permission before opening an email sent by someone they don’t know
Do not use Internet chat rooms
Do not use their real name when using games on the Internet (create a nick name)
Never give out a home address, phone or mobile number
Never tell someone where they go to school
Never arrange to meet someone they have ‘met’ on the Internet
Only use a webcam with people they know
Ask them to tell you immediately if they see anything they are unhappy with.

Using these rules

Go through the rules with your child and pin them up near the computer. It is also a good idea to regularly check the Internet sites your child is visiting e.g. by clicking on History and Favourites. Please reassure your child that you want to keep them safe rather than take Internet access away from them.

Online Gaming

Online gaming means you can play in real time with people across the world through a computer, games console, tablet or smartphone connected to the internet. Games can offer children a world of adventure to immerse themselves in, but it’s important to understand how children can stay safe and what games are appropriate for their age.

Habits

of 3-4 year-olds play games on a tablet device

Behaviour

of parents are worried about aspects of their child’s game playing

Frequency

of children play online against people they haven’t met in person

What do I need to know about online gaming?

Gaming is a fun and sociable way to spend time, encouraging teamwork and developing skills. All good stuff, but there are a few things you need to be aware of:
Get involved by finding out what type of games your child enjoys and making sure they’re appropriate for their age
Some games let children play and chat with anyone in the world. This means they might come across offensive language and bullying
Not everyone online is who they say they are. Children should avoid giving out personal details that could identify them or their location
Some games encourage players to buy extra elements during the game – children have been known to run up large bills without realising
In extreme cases bullying, also known as ‘griefing’, can be used as a tactic to win games. Children may find themselves either bullying or being bullied.
For further guidance and advice please follow this link to internet matters .org