Online Safety
E-Safety Websites
The internet offers a huge opportunity for both work and play for people of all ages. The ability to connect instantly to a wide variety of people and resources across the world has an enormous implication to how we now access information. At Ormskirk School we look to develop our students into positive digital citizens who are able to confidently make use of new technologies and cope with the ever-changing world of technology. To help support this development we take an age-centred approach to the safety of our students.
The school has a filtering system which coupled with supervision and monitoring systems allows you to be confident that your child is not accessing inappropriate material through the school systems. However filtering software is never 100% effective and a lot of students in schools nowadays have access to internet on their phones or tablets which do not need to use the school's internet. At Ormskirk School we believe education is critical to allow students to be mature in navigating their way through the online world. This section is to help you find out more information about how to keep you and your child safe online.
Think U Know
Think U Know is an important website aimed at children and their parents/carers to educate all concerned about the potential dangers and risks that currently exist on the internet. It is an important that parents and carers are aware of exactly what their children have posted on-line, what security risks there are and also what site their children are visiting. Please click on the link above and spend some time watching browsing the resources.
ConnectSafely
ConnectSafely is a non -profit organisation dedicated to educating users of connected technology about safety, privacy and security. Here you will find research-based safety tips, parents’ guidebooks, advice, news and commentary on all aspects of technical use and policy.
Whether it is social media, mobile technology or the 'Internet of Things,' connected technologies bring us enormous advantages, along with some challenges. ConnectSafely’s job is to help users get the most from their technology while managing the risks and help decision makers craft sensible policies that encourage both innovation and responsible use.
Ceop
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) works with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. CEOP protects children from harm online and offline, both directly and in partnership with local and international agencies.” CEOP also have browser addons which allow quick easy access to advice on a variety of issues as well as a Facebook app
Internet Watch Foundation
The Internet Watch Foundation has the power to shut down sites which are offensive or show obscene content on the internet. The Foundation minimises the availability of potentially criminal internet content specifically by focusing on:
- Child sexual abuse content hosted anywhere in the world.
- Criminally obscene adult content hosted in the UK.
- Non-photographic child sexual abuse images hosted in the UK
Support Websites
Childline
ChildLine offers help and advice to children who are worried, concerned or at risk in any way. ChildLine is a private and confidential service for people up to the age of 19. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything, no problem is too big or too small.
KidScape
Our mission is to ensure children live in a safe and nurturing environment. By providing training, support and advice to children, parents, schools and those in professional contact with young people, we enable them to gain knowledge and develop the confidence and skills to challenge abuse and bullying in all its forms.
Mind
Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
FRANK
FRANK helps you to find out everything you want to know about drugs. For friendly, confidential advice, Talk to FRANK.
Childnet International
Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.
They also have an excellent section on copyright and they aim to keep parents well-informed about how digital content can be enjoyed safely and legally online or via a mobile device.
Talk Talk
Talk Talk’s Internet security service is called HomeSafe. Built into the broadband network itself, HomeSafe is designed to help you block every device in your home from websites you've defined as unsuitable for your home. Parents also have the option to control the after school homework routine specifically. It's been developed in partnership with their panel of parents and online safety experts.
A guide to setting up HomeSafe is available as are videos for this service.
Virgin Media
Parental Controls are part of Virgin Media Security and are available for free to all Virgin Media broadband customers. With Virgin Media Security’s Parental Control you can:
- Screen out offensive material
- Filter sites by pre-defined age categories
- Add exceptions or block specific sites
- Control access to specific content types like chat or social networking
- Set an access-schedule for individual users
- See a history of sites viewed, including those that were blocked
Further information on this service and a guide on how to set up parental controls is available.
Plusnet
Plusnet offer Plusnet Protect Internet security. With this service, either offered free or for a small charge dependent on your Broadband package, parents and carers are able to set safe boundaries for children with parental controls.
Advice on how to set these controls is available.
Sky
Sky offer McAfee Internet Security suit, available free or for a small monthly charge dependent on your Broadband package. Parental Controls are included in this package, however all Sky Broadband customers can get McAfee Parental Controls on their own as a separate download, free and for up to three PCs.
McAfee’s Parental Controls help control when your children can be online, monitor/control what websites they can visit, and keep an eye on their online activities.
Further information on Sky’s security packages and a free download of the McAfee Parental Controls is available.
Support Websites for Parents
Childnet offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, and to find out where to get more help and support
Commonsensemedia provide independent reviews, age ratings, & other information about all types of media for children and their parents
Government advice about protecting children from specific online harms such as child sexual abuse, sexting, and cyberbullying
Internet Matters provide age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls, and practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world
How Can I Help My Child? Marie Collins Foundation – Sexual Abuse Online
Let’s Talk About It provides advice for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation
London Grid for Learning provides support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online, including tips to keep primary aged children safe online
Stopitnow resource from The Lucy Faithfull Foundation can be used by parents and carers who are concerned about someone’s behaviour, including children who may be displaying concerning sexual behaviour (not just about online)
National Crime Agency/CEOP Thinkuknow provides support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
Net-aware provides support for parents and carers from the NSPCC and O2, including a guide to social networks, apps and games
Parentzone provides help for parents and carers on how to keep their children safe online
Talking to your child about online sexual harassment: A guide for parents – This is the Children’s Commissioner’s parent guide on talking to your children about online sexual harassment
#Ask the awkward – Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre guidance to parents to talk to their children about online relationships
