Teacher Zone

Increasing provision of the Internet in our education centres brings with it the need to ensure that learners are safe. We have all heard the scare stories – but the sad thing is that many of them are true, or at least possible. Internet development is always evolving into ever more innovative areas. Blogging and Wikis are just two brilliant creations which are becoming more commonly used. They are great tools which allow amazing creativity and interaction between peers.

There is also the issue of increasing home access for pupils, with many schools and colleges providing learners with computers..

The downside is that such developments open up a whole new set of risks and challenges. As with most things, awareness and education are central to safe Internet usage and YHGfL have some useful links to help you identify and manage the risks.

These are not exhaustive and are just a means to get you started.

CEOP
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre is a UK police agency with a difference. It has the teeth of any other police force and works to track offenders wherever they may be. CEOP also delivers free education programmes into schools to help children of all ages stay safe online and is active in sharing best practice techniques with the wider child protection community through a number of training initiatives.

thinkuknow
Come in to find the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it. If you look after young people there’s an area for you too – with resources you can use in the classroom, at home or just to get with it. Most importantly, there’s also a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or worried about someone they are chatting to online.

Digizen
Childnet has launched its http://www.digizen.org/website which looks at the wider issues of digital citizenship, including cyberbullying.

Childnet
Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working to help make the Internet a great and safe place for young people. It has a range of leaflets for parents and children in a number of languages.

YHGFL
YHGfL is taking the whole issue of Internet safety to heart and is forging a lead on helping schools and colleges to manage the risks.

Downloads
BECTA Safeguarding children online - a guide for school leaders
e-Safety Posters from Kent LA