Author: Nick

Safer Internet Day 2020

InternetSafetyDay2020

It’s just two months until Safer Internet Day 2020, which will be celebrated on Tuesday 11th February 2020 with a global theme of: ‘Together for a better internet’.

Watch the video below to see what the focus is about this year:

From the safer internet team:

Are you free to be yourself online?
The theme for Safer Internet Day 2020 is…
identity online!

Are people free to be who they are online?
How can avatars help us stay safe online?
Do you think that everyone is fairly represented online?

They’re big questions – and they’re the ones we want to answer on Safer Internet Day 2020.

Focusing on identity online involves considering the information we share online, how others perceive and interact with us, and how online services identify us. It also includes thinking about how offline stereotypes and discrimination are challenged or reinforced online.

We want to inspire young people to support each other to be who they want to be, to celebrate difference, and create a truly inclusive internet.

Find out more for yourself from https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2020

New resources for 4-7 Year Olds from Think-U-Know

The long awaited replacement for ‘Lee and Kim’s Animal Magic Adventure’ for Key Stage 1 pupils is now available at think-u-know…

JessieAndFriends

Jessie & Friends, is a new online safety education resource for 4-7 year olds from CEOP.

Based on a series of three fun, age-appropriate animations, Jessie & Friends follows Jessie, Mo and Tia as they view, share and game their way towards a safer future online.

The animations are accompanied by:
– a catchy song, storybooks and posters
– a detailed resource pack with engaging learning activities on key topics including trust, consent, and healthy and unhealthy online behaviours, plus guidance on safe and effective delivery of Jessie & Friends
– advice for parents and carers on using Jessie & Friends to start a positive, age-appropriate online safety conversation with their child

Jessie & Friends has been awarded the PSHE Association Quality Mark in recognition of the high-quality, safe learning opportunities it provides.

Information is available for parents at https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/jessie-and-friends/

Teachers will need to log in to think-u-know to access the new resources.

The Social Media Conversation…

So you’ve caved in to pressure from your child and either ‘handed-down’ an old Smart phone or purchased one specially.  From my own personal experience this seems to be around the 11th birthday certainly with children around here.

The next question (if it hasn’t already arisen) is “Can I get… (insert current social media phenomenon here)?

All the organisations say the WORST thing you can do is just say no.  We know this closes doors and often leads to children going behind their parents backs to get onto social media meaning we also cut off the main avenue for support for those same children if anything goes wrong.

I read a recent article which included some great prompts for parents to use when having this difficult conversation.

Take a look at this article on “Common Sense Media”.

Yubo

Yubo is a chat app which used to be called “Yellow – Make New Friends”.  It is a social media app for iOS and Android devices which children are starting to engage with.  Through the app users create a profile, share their location, and flip through images of other users in their area.   It’s been called the “Tinder for Snapchat“.

According to the app’s Terms & Conditions it’s for ages 13+ (because of the COPA law) however because of the HIGH levels of sexual content and availability of location details sites such as Common Sense Media have recommended it for 18+ and even their children reviewers suggest it is for 17+.

Netaware also have a review of the app and go with the app’s own rating of 13+, but emphasise the sexual nature of the app and the high risk of exposure to drink, drug and crime!

 

 

Fortnite

Fortnite is becoming a widespread talking point which many parents and schools are being drawn into.  If you’ve not come across it before it’s what’s known as a ‘first-person shooter’!  It’s very addictive and unlike many of its predecessors it runs on smart phones and tablets.   Children can be drawn into playing it for long times and can play collaboratively or alone.  Collaborative playing does feature contact with other players through chat which can lead to exposure to grooming and bullying online.

Lots of organisations have great information on Fortnite including  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/fortnite
If you want a sensational take on Fortnite then head over to the Sun!
There are not really specific resources for schools that address online gaming directly but the new Google offering https://beinternetlegends.withgoogle.com/en-gb/  might be of some use to schools.