E-Safety in school
Technology and it's uses are growing at an ever increasing rate, and never before have children had access to it as immediately as they do now. Children are becoming more technologically capable and aware at younger and younger ages, and it's important that they are educated about how to keep safe, especially while using the internet, where they will have access to a wide variety of media, views and information.
The internet is now a daily part of life, and an excellent research and education tool. Children are educated in school about e-safety (with accessible websites controlled by Warrington Borough Council) and know to immediately tell an adult about anything they see that they don't think is right, or aren't happy with. It is important that while your child is at home, they are aware that e-safety is still something to be vigilant about, so please continue to discuss this with your child. This can be helped by enabling parental controls on any device (phones, tablets, laptops, pc's, games consoles) that can access the internet, as well as parental controls provided by your internet supplier.
- Their favourate online sites
- What they enjoy most, the fun aspects of being online?
- What they think can go wrong?
- How would they react if things got out of control?
Safe: Keep safe by being careful not to give out personal information when you’re chatting or posting online. Personal information includes your email address, phone number and password.
Meet: Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. Only do so with your parents’ or carers’ permission and even then only when they can be present. Remember online friends are still strangers even if you have been talking to them for a long time.
Accepting: Accepting emails, messages, or opening files, images or texts from people you don’t know or trust can lead to problems – they may contain viruses or nasty messages!
Reliable: Someone online might lie about who they are and information on the internet may not be true. Always check information by looking at other websites, in books, or with someone who knows. If you like chatting online it’s best to only chat to your real world friends and family.
Tell: Tell a parent, carer or a trusted adult if someone, or something, makes you feel uncomfortable or worried, or if you or someone you know is being bullied online.
Stranger Danger
Please make your child aware of the Top Tips in keeping safe around strangers.
1) WHO’S WHO?
A stranger is anyone that your child doesn't know or know very well. It's both common and dangerous for your child to think that ‘strangers’ look scary or sinister, like villains in films or cartoons. In a recent survey the majority of children aged between 5-8 thought this. Play a game with your child and ask them to draw a stranger, it will help you reinforce that a stranger can look like anyone. Tell your child that they won’t be able to tell if a stranger is nice or not, so all strangers should be treated in the same way.
2) DON’T GO - SAY NO!
If your child is approached by a stranger, encourage them to raise the alarm by saying 'NO' to draw attention. They should not be scared to do this and be told that it is the right thing to do. For children aged between 3-4, be careful not to scare them too much but start with “there are bad people so it’s very important you never…” All children should ask for help from other adults. Teach them to look out for people in uniforms such as police officers, or teachers and traffic wardens if they’re at the school gates. Teach your child this basic slogan, ‘DON’T GO, SAY NO’.
3) PLAN AHEAD
As obvious as it seems, please stress to your child that they should NEVER talk to a stranger, NEVER accept gifts or sweets, and NEVER walk off or get into a car with one. This is important if your child is between 5-8 as they are at their most vulnerable. This situation might arise if you are late collecting them from school for example, so agree a plan with your child that they know you will stick to if you are late. For example, teach them that you would only ever send a teacher from their school or a friend’s parent, that they recognise to collect them if you aren’t able to.Give your child your home, work and mobile numbers so they can reach you at all times, especially if they've aged around 9-11, as they will be spending more time on their own.
4) TIME TO TEACH
Tell your child that even if they are not sure if someone is a stranger they should always behave in the same way and not take risks. Teach them stock phrases to help give them confidence. For example: a child offered money or sweets should respond, 'No thank you. Please leave me alone’ It's important children don't think that talking to a stranger is ok if they're with a friend. Teach them they should only talk to someone they don't know if you are there by their side.
5) PRACTICE MAKES...
One way you can prepare your child is by practicing scenarios. Try planning a game called, 'What if?' Discussing and thinking about what to do is often more helpful than having the 'right' answers. Ask them what to do if a stranger approaches them to help reinforce the advice ‘DON’T GO, SAY NO’
By practicing these strategies in a fun way, your child will be as equipped as possible should difficult situations arise. It's important to have this conversation regularly, especially with young children so make time every 3 - 4 months. Remember ‘DON’T GO, SAY NO’
NSPCC and 02 Keep Kids Safe
Snapchat
As I’m sure you are aware Snapchat’s latest update, from June 2017, is a location-sharing feature called Snap Map. Thinkuknow - the education programme of CEOP - has created a guide for parents and carers to help them understand the functions and features of Snapchat and ways to help young people stay safe while using it.
This information has been provided by: http://parentinfo.org/article/snapchat-a-parents-guide.
Medicine Forms
Early Help Division - E Book
Logging a Concern
Forms can be emailed to glazeburyprimary@ldst.org.uk or handed in at the school office.