Online Safety

It is hard to underestimate the need for good online habits during this period of social distancing. How happy, safe and productive we are during this period of confinement will depend on how wisely we use the internet. The internet is clearly an invaluable tool at the moment, though like all tools – we need to know how to handle them. To ensure the internet is used safely in your family, there are several things that parents and students should be aware of. These can be summarised as:

1) Content: Awareness of online platforms and programs, their uses and abuses

2) Conduct: Knowing how to handle/follow up any concerns

3) Contact: Regulating one’s use of the internet

It is crucial that both students and parents/carers are aware of these aspects of online safety, and this webpage exists to give you that information. On this page you will find introductory video guides which we recommend all parents and students watch, sub-sections about the key areas mentioned above (content, conduct & contact), a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, and presentation slides from the Online Safety Lectures (The lectures are normally delivered in College but are now available to view on this page to support safe remote learning).

Content

Internet users of all ages can access a world of information. Much of it is useful, but it is becoming increasingly easy to access material which could be considered harmful. This includes online gaming sites which promote violence or racism, websites encouraging anorexia, self-harm or suicide and sites containing inappropriate and pornographic images. The documents provided below are designed to alert parents to such online content and suggest how access to it can be controlled.

Please click on the hyperlinks below for pdf’s of the information sheets:

Contact

Social networks on the internet allow large numbers of people to make contact with others, some of whom they might not know personally or who may not reveal their true identity which can pose a risk to young people. If you think your child is being contacted by someone older or someone you are not familiar with, you can block and delete them as a contact on the social network. However if you are concerned about interactions your child is having you can seek guidance from College using the contact details below or the police.

If you are concerned about the content that your child has seen on social media or on a website, as discussed in the video press the CEOP button or visit the CEOP website.

Contact details for further support

Emmanuel College Welfare team – ecstudentwelfare@esf-schools.org.uk
CEOP ceop.police.uk

The links below also provide further information and guidance for both students and parents:

Conduct

It is important that all students understand that what they post, view and comment on can impact upon their reputation and the reputation of the College. It is important therefore that they consider their online activity carefully. One of the ways that parents/carers can support students view to appropriate content and monitor their online conduct is to set parental controls.

Below are the links to a series of guides that show you how to set parental controls on a range of internet devices. More guides are avalible from internetmatters.org

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should my child have online contact with and how?

All students will access and submit work on the ‘Itslearning’ platform, this allows students to directly contact their teachers. There is no email correspondence between pupils and teachers.

How will I know which teachers my child should be in contact with?

Through their timetable on Schoolbase, though they may also be contacted by the Head of School, Pastoral Lead or Head of Department.

Who should I contact if I need more information or support, or am concerned about something my child has seen online?

If you have a welfare concern to contact the school about, please email welfare@emmanuelctc.org.uk

To report a website or online behaviour to the police, click the CEOP button on the webpage.

Can I ensure that my child cannot look at websites that are inappropriate?

The above links in the ‘Conduct’ section provide information and guidance on how to use parental controls so that inappropriate sites cannot be accessed.