CHiLDreN’s SAFeTY and PRiVacY IS ouR PRIORITY!
SAFER SPACES PRINCIPLE-
# It’s a safe place for everyone
Everyone on our classes, including the teachers and participants, follow the “Safer spaces” principle. Every child and young person can join our activities without fear of being discriminated, bullied etc. Every child is valuable to us, just like they are, a wonderful young human being. We intervene in inappropriate behaviour immediately, whether it is deliberate of accidental. We go through reasons, why that behaviour is not acceptable and why it hurts the other person’s feelings, without accusations. We are open and caring toward each other.
SAFETY IN OUR ONLINE CLASSES-
# Zoom ID and password
In order to keep our children safe during online classes, do NOT share the club login details or Zoom ID and password with anyone.
# Cameras and microphones
Everyone’s webcam and microphones will be automatically on when the class begins, so that we can verify there are only children in the class and no outsiders are able to access the meeting. For the same safety reasons we request everyone to keep their cameras on during the class. We would also advice to keep your microphone on as it creates an interactive class that we all enjoy more. If you have a chat with your child during the class then silence your microphone for your privacy. We as hosts are also able to turn off webcams and microphones, but for privacy reasons only you can turn them back on.
# Monitor your child
We are not able to see what your child does on the computer during the class. Therefore it is always recommended to monitor your child whenever they have online access, also during the classes. We will contact parents if we have any safety concerns regarding any child.
# Screen sharing
Children can share their screen during the class if they need help. The screen will be visible to all participants during the share. Therefore for your privacy, please ensure you close or hide all private and sensitive information on your computer screen and desktop before your child joins the class.
# Safety brief
We go through an online safety brief on the first session of each club, and revisit the rules when needed.
GeNEral InteRnEt SaFety - How to keep your child safe online
MONITOR YOUR CHILD-
Internet and technology are wonderful tools to make our lives more convenient and we all know the benefits and dangers hiding in them. But how to keep your child safe online?
Start monitoring your child early on. Children are much more advanced technology users than us parents think and by the age of eight most are fluent in navigating the web. This is a good age to start monitoring their web activity.
Make clear rules about what sites your child is allowed to use and for how long.
Have access to all the accounts your child uses. Store the user names and passwords and check their accounts regularly (preferably weekly) for their activity.
Check the history on the internet browser they use regularly. Many innocent looking sites such as Scratch, which is widely used in schools, have chat options, followers and children can create password protected areas that could potentially be used to hide activity.
Always check what your child is doing online. Go and have a chat with them about what they are doing, make them aware that you are there for them.
Check the history on the internet browser they use regularly. Many innocent looking sites such as Scratch, which is widely used in schools, have chat options, followers and children can create password protected areas that could potentially be used to hide activity.
Always check what your child is doing online. Go and have a chat with them about what they are doing, make them aware that you are there for them.
USE A WEB ACTIVITY MONITORING TOOL-
There are lots of useful tools that can help you monitor your child’s technology use. Depending on the provider you choose, you can choose a general filter that will allow your child to access age appropriate content. You can block sites by group (such as gaming or adult content), by age, or fully customise which sites and apps your child can access.
You can link all the gadgets your child uses to the same account which will make it easy to stay on track. You are often able to set time limits for the usage. Your child is able to request more time or sites to be unblocked and you are able to control all the activity from your mobile phone or computer.
There are lots of option for monitoring, both paid and free. Examples of some free ones are QuStudio, Microsoft Family etc. Many internet security softwares such as Norton come with a family app for no additional cost. It’s best to do an internet search to find a best option for you.
If a family app isn’t an option, you can use an extension such as Block Site to block websites on the internet browser. The amount of sites you can block is often limited so you may wish to use a more comprehensive tool.
Another lightweight and easy to set up tool is an app lock for your child’s mobile device and so your child needs your permission to open apps you choose to block. This is also handy if you want to allow your child to use certain apps independently but wish to block for example the internet browser or a game. Please note that this won’t monitor your child’s internet browsing.
THINGS YOU SHOULD GO THROUGH WITH YOUR CHILD-
# Personal details
Remind your child not to put their full name, address, phone number, name of their school or password anywhere online. If possible, use a nickname.
# Images
Remind your child not to share images of themselves online or in profile pictures. Rather use a picture of pet or an avatar.
# Friend’s details
Remind your child to keep their friend’s safe as well and not to share any of their friends details either.
# Chats and accepting friend requests
Remind your child not to join chats or accept friend requests from anyone they do not know. They should also be careful on following strangers. Online friends may be different to what they seem and they are not same as offline friends.
# Clicking on links
Remind your child not to click on any links or pop up windows if they are not sure what the purpose of it is.
# Online bullying and abuse
Remind your child to tell you or another trusted adult immediately if they see anyone being bullied online or something else that doesn’t seem right.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO
PRINT THIS POSTER
NEXT TO YOUR CHILD’S COMPUTER TO REMIND THEM HOW TO STAY SAFE ONLINE!
Online Safety Poster A4
KEY TO SAFETY IS TRUST
TELL YOUR CHILD THEY CAN ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP IF THEY ARE NOT SURE ABOUT SOMETHING OR THEY FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT SOMETHING.
RE-ASSURE THEM THAT THEY CAN TELL YOU ANYTHING.
THERE’S NO BETTER PROTECTION THAN PARENT’S VIGILANCE.
LET’S STAY SAFE!
