The use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an integral part of teaching and learning. The children benefit from a wide range of technical resources, with online capabilities at the centre of their learning.
The use of these exciting and innovative tools in school and at home have been shown to raise educational standards and promote pupil achievement. However, access to the Internet and other e-learning resources requires training, guidance and advice to ensure that everyone learns in a safe environment within and outside the school. Some of the dangers they may face include:
· Access to illegal, harmful or inappropriate images or other content;
· Unauthorised access to/loss of/sharing of personal information;
· The risk of being subject to grooming by those with whom they make contact on the internet;
· The risk of being targeted by extremists in order to promote and encourage radicalisation;
· The risk of being targeted by those involved in child sexual exploitation;
· The sharing/distribution of personal images without an individual’s consent or knowledge;
· Inappropriate communication/contact with others, including strangers;
· Cyber-bullying;
· Access to unsuitable video/internet games;
· An inability to evaluate the quality, accuracy and relevance of information on the internet;
· Plagiarism and copyright infringement;
· Illegal downloading of music or video files;
· The potential for excessive use which may impact on the social and emotional development and learning of the young person.
As with all other risks, it is impossible to eliminate those risks completely. It is therefore essential, through good educational provision to build pupils’ resilience to the risks to which they may be exposed, so that they have the confidence and skills to face and deal with these risks.
Below are some links which have some great e-safety tips.
Below are some additional leaflets which can be helpful to promote e-safety.