In the News ...
NSPCC – Online Safety
Online safety
The NSPCC and O2 have launched a campaign to illustrate how innocent searches online can lead to not so innocent results. The report highlights how using parental controls to block or filter content can help keep children safe online and includes information on how to set up parental controls on mobiles and tablets, home computers, search engines and games consoles.
To find out more, please click here:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/
Source: NSPCC
Screen Time
For many parents during the lockdown, putting a healthy limit on how much their teens spend glued on their phones (and on social media) continues to be a big challenge.
MyTutor have produced a guide including useful tips and advice on healthy gadget use, alternative tech for learning, creativity and discovery, and how parents can encourage a balanced screen time ‘diet’ with their teens. Please see the link below for more information.
The Screen Time Diet: Helping Your Teen Find The Balance With Tech
Children’s Commissioner
Report looking into how well children are prepared to engage with the internet
Children’s engagement with the internet and social media
The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a report looking into how well children are prepared to engage with the internet. Findings include: opaque and lengthy social media terms and conditions mean children unknowingly waive privacy rights; a Mumsnet survey of nearly 900 parents of children aged 2-18 showed that 73% were concerned about their children accessing inappropriate material online, 49% were worried about their child oversharing personal information, and 41% felt they needed more advice to make informed decisions about their children’s online use. Recommendations include: a champion for children’s rights online is needed to enforce their rights with social media companies; an obligatory digital citizenship programme for 4 to 14 year-olds should be set up.
To find out more, please click here:
https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/news/children-left-fend-themselves-digital-world
Source: Children’s Commissioner for England Date: 04 January 2017
Kayleigh’s Love Story
Film warning about online grooming
Leicestershire Police has made its film to raise awareness of the dangers of online grooming publicly available. Based on the story of teenager Kayleigh Haywood, the film highlights how quickly and easily children can be groomed online without them or those around them knowing it is happening. Kayleigh’s love story is available to watch online in eight different versions, including a signed version, and audio described version and versions translated into five languages. It has previously been shown to schoolchildren aged 11 and above in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in controlled screenings by specially trained officers.
To find out more, please click here:
https://leics.police.uk/categories/kayleighs-love-story
Source: Leicestershire Police Date: 03 January 2017
Sarah’s Law
Are you worried about the safety of your child? Do you have any suspicions or worries about a person that is in contact with your child?
Sarah’s Law – also known as the child sex offender disclosure scheme – allows parents, carers and guardians to formally ask the police to tell them if someone has a record for child sexual offences. Grandparents and neighbours are also invited to use the scheme but it is most commonly used by parents and guardians.
If you think a child is at immediate risk then you should call 999 to report your concerns. In all other circumstances (non-emergencies) you should telephone 101 or complete the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme Online