About
"With the ever increasing creation and exposure to social networking sites; our youngsters need to be kept safe from potential online abuse, bullying and contact with users who have hidden agendas.
During the month of February we promote 'Safer Internet Day.' Withernsea High School held several assemblies covering some of the issues that being online has brought. It looks at matters that our students have to face and how people are not always what they say they are. It also looked at simple steps they can take to avoid providing too much information about themselves and how new viruses and Trojans can take over computers without the user even knowing.
We feel it vital that as parents, a School and a community; we tackle these situations together, in hope that it will provide a safer environment for us all to use. On this site we have provided resources for your information that may help keep our youngsters from potential harm and make using the internet a safer environment in which to work."
Mr S Petrow
Systems Information Manager
Childnet resources and websites
Childnet: Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working in partnership with others around the world to help make the internet a great and safe place for children. The Childnet website hosts all the online resources detailed below, as well as a number of recommended resources for young people, parents, carers and teachers. www.childnet.com
Childnet resources: On our website you can access resources on a range of topics, including our previously branded Know IT All for Parents interactive guide. The Parents and Carers area also contains key advice, information on reporting and detailed information on a range of e-safety topics in the Hot topics section. www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
UK Safer Internet Centre: Childnet is part of the European Commission appointed UK Safer Internet Centre. Together with partners the Internet Watch Foundation and the South West Grid for Learning, we raise awareness about internet safety, develop information materials and resources and organise high profile events such as Safer Internet Day. You can access a range of resources from across the UK, Europe and wider afield at www.saferinternet.org.uk.
Digizen: A website providing information and advice to encourage responsible digital citizenship. It shares advice and guidance on preventing and responding to cyberbullying, including the film ‘Let’s Fight It Together’ and specific information on social networking. www.digizen.org
KidSMART: This award winning Childnet website is for children, teachers, parents and carers and offers fun games and activities for children alongside effective internet safety advice. Don’t forget to check out our new Early Surfers’ Zone for 3-7 year olds where you can read the online stories ‘The Adventures of Smartie the Penguin’ and ‘Digiduck’s Big Decision.’ www.kidsmart.org.uk
Parental controls and filtering
A Parents’ Guide to Technology: The UK Safer Internet Centre has created this guide to answer commonly asked questions and introduce some of the most popular devices used by children, highlighting the safety tools available and empowering parents with the knowledge they need to support their children to use these technologies safely and responsibly. www.saferinternet.org.uk/parent-tech
Childnet’s guide to Online Gaming also contains helpful advice and information. www.childnet.com/ufiles/Online-gaming.pdf
Internet Parental Controls: The four big internet providers - BT, Sky, Talk Talk and Virgin Media - provide their customers with free parental controls that can be activated at any time. Video tutorials on how to download and use these controls are available on the UK Safer Internet Centre website. www.saferinternet.org.uk/parental-controls
Computer protection and security
Sorted: This website was produced by young people and looks at the issues of internet security and protection. It gives simple explanations, important information and advice on how to protect a computer from the dangers of programmes such as viruses, phishing scams, spyware and trojans. www.childnet.com/sorted/
Get Safe Online: A government website which focuses on online computer security and protection issues. It contains advice about firewalls, spyware and antivirus protection as well as how to protect children online. www.getsafeonline.org
Social networking
Young People & Social Networking Sites: Aims to help parents understand the positive and creative ways young people are using social networking spaces (eg Facebook, Twitter and Google+). It also points out the potential risks of using these sites and ways to minimise these risks. www.childnet.com/ufiles/Young-people-and-social-networking-A.pdf
Facebook Family Safety Centre: Provides useful information and tips for parents and carers, teens and educators. These pages do not require a Facebook account in order to view them. www.facebook.com/safety
Google+ Safety Centre: Provides useful information and tips for parents and carers, teens and educators. These pages do not require a Google account in order to view them. www.google.com/+/safety
Twitter Help Centre - Tips for Parents: Provides useful information and tips for parents and carers. These pages do not require a Twitter account in order to view them. support.twitter.com
File sharing and downloading
Music, Film, TV and the Internet: Childnet has developed this guide with the music, film and television industries to inform parents, teachers and young people about how to stay safe and legal when enjoying entertainment on the internet or via a mobile device. www.childnet.com/resources/downloading
The Content Map: A UK based website that signposts to legal online retailers of film, TV, music, games, ebooks and sports coverage. www.thecontentmap.com
Search engines
Using a child friendly search engine allows content to be filtered. Most adult search engines, such as Google, Bing and YouTube, also have built in filtering options under the ‘preferences’ link that should be adjusted before use.
Ask Kids: www.askkids.com
Yahoo!: kids.yahoo.com
Apps
In-app purchases: Advice and guidance on how to protect against hidden costs of purchasing apps through Smartphones and Tablets. Click Here to download a fact sheet.