#WakeUpWednesday

As part of their #WakeUpWednesday campaign, National Online Safety have created free online safety guides for schools to share with parents and carers. Every Wednesday, they produce guides to focus on specific platforms/risks which they believe trusted adults should be aware of. Open the folder below to view the new guide each week. More information can be found on their website: https://nationalonlinesafety.com/

Social Networks

What age can my child start social networking?

As a parent it’s important you know that all social networking platforms (or social networking apps, if on a smartphone) have age limits. Some social networks use technologies that may not be right for some ages or engage with communities that are made up of people much older than your child.  

There are many apps that have been created especially for children to use. Click on the following link to take you to the Internet Matters website to view a range of child-friendly social media apps. https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/social-media-networks-made-for-kids/ 

The ThinkUKnow website also has a lot of information to help you decide whether your child is ready for social media.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/is-my-child-ready-for-social-media/ 

The virtual world can be a wonderful thing, but are you doing everything you can to keep your children safe?

If you answer ‘no’ to any of these questions, then we highly recommend you follow the advice given and do a little research on what apps your child is using:

• Do you know which games and apps your children are using?
• Do you know what information they are publishing about themselves?
• Do you know if they have chat features turned on to strangers?
• Do you know who they have listed as ‘friends’?
• Do you know what the potential hazards could be within these apps?
• Do you know how to change the settings within the apps they are using?

Advice

• Regularly check the games and apps your children are using. Ask your child to share what they like about the game or app to help you understand how they access the content. 
• Check the security settings on the app/game. Turn off location services and chat features. 
• If your child is posting content online, consider what they are revealing about themselves. Does it show their school uniform, which can allow someone to trace them to Braintree? Do they mention their full name? Do they have personal photos in the background?
• Having open discussions with your children about anything that makes them feel uncomfortable is a good place to start.  Rather than forwarding on inappropriate links to their friends, encourage them to share them with you.
• Discuss the difference between real friends and online friends. Can they be sure people are who they say they are?
• Please make sure your children know they can raise any issues with you without having to deal with an immediate ban from electronics etc. for their honesty.  Children are less likely to talk about issues that come up if they feel they will be punished with a ban.
• It is very good practice to be aware of what your children are viewing on a day to day basis and to have regular conversations about what they are doing online.
• Read the weekly #WakeUpWednesday guide that is added in the section above to keep up to date with information about apps and games.

Safer Internet Day 2024 

Safer Internet Day 2024 will take place on Tuesday 6^th February 2024, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online’.

Sessions will focus on change online, this includes covering:

* Young people’s perspective on new and emerging technology

* Using the internet to make change for the better

* The changes young people want to see online

* The things that can influence and change the way young people think, feel and act online and offline

During this day/week, children will be taking part in an activity at school to celebrate.