Now more than ever we need to support our students to stay safe and well online. See below a range of helpful websites for parents and students to ensure safety online over the coming weeks.
The Safer Internet Centre offers excellent advice for parents on keeping their children safe online. This includes information on the common dangers as well as safety controls and tools, including those that can be used on social media.
There is a similar guide for young people. Here you can find 5 top tips for staying safe online as well as links to other resources, including the safe use of apps such as Instagram and Snapchat.
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection command) is an organisation designed to protect young people from online sexual abuse. Their website has a section where young people or parents/guardians can make a report that they or someone else may be suffering from grooming or online sexual abuse. This can range from people feeling pressured to talk about sex online, being asked to provide images to being asked to meet up in person. As well as being able to make reports of things that have happened you can also contact CEOP for advice on what to do if you have concerns that something may happen.
Broader advice on these issues is also available on the Think U Know website.
If you are not ready to talk to CEOP or want advice on online bullying and harassment that is not sexual in nature the best contact is Childline on 0800 1111.
There is a wide range of apps that students use socially. It is important that they and parents understand how they work, the safety features and the dangers of the technology. The guides below show some of the most common apps that young people are using currently.