At Abbey College, we strive to ensure the safety and protection of the school community, from the adverse consequences of access to or use of electronic media, including bullying, inappropriate sexualised behaviours or exploitation.
Electronic Media and the Internet has become an integral part of our lives and society; allowing children to undertake research for learning development, talk to their friends and access information from anywhere around the globe, however, there are some risks. It is important that teachers, parents and pupils all work together to ensure its safe use.
We try to create an environment that helps to educate pupils on e-safety issues; teaching them the appropriate behaviours and skills to enable them to remain both safe and legal when using the internet and related technologies, in and outside of the classroom.
It is helpful to discuss the issues in school, at home and between friends, and to know what actions to take if any issues arise.
The following facts are from www.pewinternet.org
- Instant messaging: 79% of all teens instant message their friends; 27% do so daily.
- Social media: 72% of all teens spend time with friends via social media; 23% do so daily.
- Email: 64% of all teens use email with friends; 6% do so daily.
- Video chat: 59% of all teens video chat with their friends; 7% video chat with friends daily.
- Video games: 52% of all teens spend time with friends playing video games; 13% play with friends daily.
- Messaging apps: 42% of all teens spend time with friends on messaging apps such as Kik and WhatsApp; 14% do so every day.
- 38% of young people have been affected by bullying online
- 25% of a teenager's ‘friends’ online are people that they have only met online
What to do if you or your child encounters negative issues
At Abbey College all students are encouraged to report any negative issues they may encounter online to a responsible adult, which includes all School staff. Pupils are supported in reporting any issues, with cyber-bullying and e-safety posters now displayed in prominent positions.
If you would like to discuss any issues with the school, please do contact welfare on .
Advice for Parents and Carers – from www.Thinkyouknow.co.uk website
- Be involved in your child’s online life
- Watch Thinkuknow films to learn more
- Keep up-to-date with your child’s development online
- Set boundaries in the online world just as you would in the real world
- Know what connects to the internet and how
- Consider the use of parental controls on devices that link to the internet, such as the TV, laptops, computers, games consoles and mobile phones
- Emphasise that not everyone is who they say they are
- Know what to do if something goes wrong
General Social Media Advice
- Do you use social media such as Facebook? What are your privacy settings set to?
- Think before you post
- What personal information is available online about you?
- Search for yourself – Are you happy with everything that is on there?
- What images of your children do you upload? Can anyone see them?