What is E-safety?
Probably the better question is what E-safety isn’t. It isn’t just about banning web sites and stopping children having access to technology. To simply act in such a manner, may protect children while they are in schools but does not prepare them for the world they enter when they leave our care.
The world children live in is very different to one many of us were bought up in, the pressures to be ‘cool’ are very different and this includes using technologies to communicate in a virtual world. The introduction of mobile phones with internet and multimedia capability, Web 2.0 technology and the potential of collaborative technologies including YouTube, My Space, Face Book, BeBo and Lime Wire are all having an effect on their lives. ‘Blogs’ and ‘Wikis’ are now becoming common place with many celebrities now sharing their world through this channel
As adults, our biggest challenge is to understand children’s approach to using cyber space but also to raise their awareness to the issues that they may face with using these technologies but also the responsibility that comes along with them. By working alongside parents, carers and other adults we can support their developing understanding, as well as providing children with the knowledge to keep safe.
This page is a compendium of links to a range of resources that may help schools to formulate policies and teaching activities that will help children come to terms and deal effectively with the world they are growing up with. Helping them to understand that their safety is our primary concern and helping them to keep safe.
Becta E-safety site - http://www.becta.org.uk/schools/esafety
Signposts to safety documents Key Stages 1 and 2 and Key Stages 3 and 4
DCFS advice on dealing with Cyber bullying
http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/behaviour/tacklingbullying/cyberbullying/
YHGFL e-safety site - http://www.yhgfl.net/e-safety/
Kent E-safety site - http://www.kented.org.uk/ngfl/ict/safety.htm
Child Exploitation and On-Line Protection Centre - http://www.ceop.gov.uk/
Child Line - www.childline.org.uk