On line gaming advice

Computer games are a great way to relax and interact with others but remember to keep yourself safe at all times. Check out the guidance here to help stay safe while playing in the virtual world.

Vodafone Esafety Guidance Website

There is some great advice on general esafety issues contained within this Vodafone site. While some of the guidance is directly targeted towards Vodafone customers there is some very good advice on a range of other subjects. The age specific digital parenting checklists are a good first step to help you to engage with esafety within your family.

Sexting

Parents and students will be interested initiative that ChildLine and the Internet Watch Foundation are taking in relation to “sexting.”  This partnership follows a ChildLine survey of 13-18 year olds which found that young people are often taking significant risks by making and sending sexual images of themselves on the internet or through mobile phones. 

ChildLine has developed an app for young people, which is designed to help them diffuse pressures on them to send an explicit image.  The app, called Zipit, offers witty images to send instead of explicit ones and provides advice on how to engage in safe chat and what to do if you are threatened. 

The NSPCC is complementing the ChildLine initiative by providing advice to parents and carers on what they can do to advise and support their children in relation to “sexting.”  Many children and young people are more savvy about internet and mobile phone technology than their parents, so the advice, posted on the NSPCC website, informs parents about the key issues surrounding sexting and will enable them to have an informed and open discussion with their sons and daughters about the potential risks that sexting can bring.

Whisper

During Anti Bullying Week RGS launched Whisper an online reporting tool for students to use if they have any school problems or worries eg bullying, peer issues, school work, stress and anxiety.

Reporting issues is a very effective way to enable us to be able to deal with risks before they escalate into harm and we already have ways in which students can seek support but we understand that sometimes face to face conversations are difficult.

Whisper is an anonymous reporting service for students that allows them to send a message or text to a confidential school email account where the safe guarding team experienced in responding to issues will receive it.

How does it work?

Clicking on the Whisper button will take students to an online form where you can leave your message. Students can choose to send it anonymously or, if students want us to get back to them, they can leave their contact details. Whisper does not collect any information to identify a sender unless they choose to leave it.

Students can also send an anonymous text by following the SMS instructions . Again, Whisper will not store any personal information if students use this service. Whisper reports are checked daily by the safeguarding team. Please note: Whisper is not checked at the weekends or during the school holidays.

Full details of how to use Whisper can be found in posters around the school.

Facebook rolls out Graph Search for UK English users

Facebook announced the roll-out of Graph Search for UK English users of Facebook. Graph Search will give Facebook users greater ability to share and search so it will have an impact on your privacy - the information you and others can share and find about you. 

 Childnet have put together a series of useful tips to help you manage your privacy click here to access the guidance.

Childline launches mobile app to help young people deal with sexting requests

Zipit is ChildLine’s first ever app, available for Android, Apple and BlackBerry smartphones (and iPod touch). It’s free to download and has handy tips and suggested responses that will help young people stay in control of their chat. Click here for more information.

Facebook makes changes to privacy settings for teens

Last week Facebook introduced some chages to how teens use the service. Here is a brief summary: When 13-17 year olds join Facebook now, their initial privacy setting will be to share with 'Friends' instead of 'Friends of Friends', which it was previously. Facebook now makes it possible for 13-17 year olds to post publicly on Facebook for status updates, photos, check-ins and other content. Teens will also be able to opt-in to the 'Follow' feature. Previously, teens could not make public posts. Facebook rationale is to enable teens to have a voice on the platform - to share their views and opinions. Facebook has introduced inline reminders - so when a teen chooses to post publicly, they will see a reminder that the post can be seen by anyone and an option to change the sharing option for the post. More information can be found on Facebook's Help Center.

Remember you are not alone if you are having problems on-line.

If you have any concerns regarding inappropriate contact online or are experiencing difficulties within an online relationship that there is support and advice available. If you do not feel comfortable discussing this with someone at home your Head of House (Post 16 students please see Miss Haine) can help. There is also advice and a means to report inappropriate contact from Ceop.

Parents

The more open you are in discussing possible online issues with your children the more likely they are to come to you for support and guidance. Why not use the recent events outlined in this excellent article to elicit conversations regarding the importance of being on your guard when developing on line relationships. Ceop also have a Parents area which is packed full of advice.

Social Networking. Keeping ourselves in control.

When we are in control of areas of our lives we feel more comfortable and secure. This very much applies applies to our online world. There is some great advice located here to enable us to take a fresh look at our Facebook settings to keep in control of our world.

On line gaming advice

Gaming on line is an important part of many peoples lives. This resource from Sony gives some simple advice to ensure that we all can game safely. While the site is focused on Playstation much of the advice applies to all gaming areas.

Do you 'Connect with Respect'. Take the quiz and find out if you look after yourself and look out for others when you are online. Click here to access the quiz.

Social networking through the long hot summer.

Social Networking is an ever increasing part of our lives and while we are away from school we may wish to ensure we keep our online profiles are updated while ensuring we stay safe and secure. There are some great resources here to ensure you stay safe and some help here to reassure your parents.