Safe Surfing: Guidance for Schools

Guidance Note Version 1.5 Updated 29/6/2010

Introduction

Internet Safety Frequently Asked Questions

Resources for Managers

Resources for School Staff

Resources for Pupils

Links to additional resources

Introduction

The internet and in particular the World Wide Web provides enormous opportunities to engage and support both learners and teachers. However, the internet is not owned by anyone and there are very few restrictions on who can post information or on what they can post.
Using the internet in school may be likened to visiting a large foreign city on a school trip.
There is lots to see, much of it educational and cultural, some of it interesting, some curiosities to wonder at. There are new and interesting people to meet, some of whom speak your language some of whom don't. When you meet someone on a trip, how much do you know about them?
As with a new city, you need to know how to get around, how to read the road signs and how to buy your ticket for the tram. There are some places in all cities which contain activities which are not appropriate for young children, or which are not safe for visitors to go after dark or without a guide.
In school, the role of the guide falls to teachers.
This document provides advice to school staff on how to use the internet safely in schools. It provides guidance on how to deal with some of the issues commonly encountered in schools as well as links to sites which provide resources for teachers, pupils and parents.

Back to top

Internet Safety Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent access to inappropriate material?
Web pages are filtered centrally. very many sites are blocked using a combination of techniques by the central web filters. Even so, no filtering can be 100% effective. The most effective way to combat this sort of activty is to ensure that internet use is supervised and that internet surfing is both focused on a specific task and that the activity has been prepared beforehand. You should not under any circumstances ask pupils to carry out a search which you yourself have not tested.

• Internet lessons should be prepared as thoroughly as all other lessons.
• Teachers should check web sites before use.
• Pupils should be supervised when using the internet.

Back to top

What do I do if a pupil downloads inappropriate material?
At some point inappropriate material will be downloaded either by accident or design. Don’t Panic!
Take a note of the site and pass it to IT coordinator to forward for blocking.
Log the incident:
e.g. Pupil, Machine No., Date/time, Site, Content
Appropriate sanctions should be considered for misuse in line with existing school discipline policy

Back to top

How do I have block /unblock a web site?
Use the form provided on the website www.edu.clacks.gov.uk/moodle or call the IT Helpdesk on 452055

Back to top

Is email filtered?
Email is filtered for content.
Pupils should be educated in appropriate behaviour/etiquette.
Appropriate sanctions should be considered for misuse in line with existing school discipline policy

Back to top

Are chatrooms allowed?
Discourage use of Chatrooms. Only education Chatrooms should be used. Pupils using such Chatrooms must be supervised by a teacher.

Back to top

Where do I find Internet Safety Resources?

This site - see below

All schools have a copy of the publication Stop! Think! Go? Internet Proficiency scheme.

CEOP is a high profile government sponsored site dealing with internet safety and child protection issues.

Click Thinking is a Scottish Executive publication, due for revision soon, which provides a framework.

Internet Watch Foundation

www.iwf.org.uk

Background information and advice on dealing with illegal materials.

Childnet International

www.childnet-int.org

www.kidsmart.org.uk

www.chatdanger.com

has several websites giving advice to young people and parents/carers about using the Internet safely. They have also recently distributed a CDROM to all secondary schools.

Think U Know

http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Home Office advice on child safety. Interesting links worth exploring.

European Commission dot.safe project

http://dotsafe.eun.org

European Schoolnet project to raise awareness of issues.

Get Netwise

www.getnetwise.org

Containing safety guides broken down into age groups. Comprehensive, aimed at families.

NCH

www.nch.org.uk/itok/

UK charity. Has useful links. Download useful rules presented in child-friendly way.

Social Networking advice

http://safesocialnetworking.com/

https://www.facebook.com/safety Facebook advice and tools

Resources

School Staff

http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/default.aspx

http://www.fkbko.co.uk/EN.php?lang=EN&&subject=0&&id=0&&level=0

http://publications.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=32422

http://publications.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=32424

http://www.sqasolar.org.uk/solar/material/index.htm

Data Protection resources for school staff are available here

http://safesocialnetworking.com/

https://www.facebook.com/safety Facebook advice and tools

http://www.bizzikid.co.uk/sosguide/safetyguidestart.html

http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/
Pupils

http://www.ceop.gov.uk/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/help/safesurfing/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/course/safety/childsafety/childsafety.shtml

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/guides/tech/safe_surfing/newsid_1607000/1607213.stm

Information Commissioners guide for young people

http://safesocialnetworking.com/

https://www.facebook.com/safety Facebook advice and tools

http://www.bizzikid.co.uk/sosguide/safetyguidestart.html

http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/

Parents/Carers

http://www.ceop.gov.uk/

http://www.ssfchildren.co.uk/safety.php

http://www.safekids.com/

http://www.childline.org.uk/Safesurfing.asp

http://www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk/Wellbeing/HealthAndWelfare/SafeUseOfTheInternet/Introduction.asp

http://www.parentscentre.gov.uk/usingcomputersandtheinternet/internetsafetypresentation/Teachers

http://www.ceop.gov.uk/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/chatguide/
http://www.youngpeoplesafeonline.com/
www.iwf.org.uk

http://www.childnet-int.org/kia/parents/ a set of interactive activities for parents and children

http://safesocialnetworking.com/

https://www.facebook.com/safety Facebook advice and tools

http://www.bizzikid.co.uk/sosguide/safetyguidestart.html

http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/

Managers

Clackmannanshire Council Acceptable Use Policy for Schools.

Copies should be available in schools.

Memorandum from Jim Goodall, Head of Education, January 08

"It would be important that this matter continued to be address in the contexts of your work with young people on ICT and PSE.

The following LTS website contains information about a range of resources which could be used by teachers/youth workers and/or pupils directly to provide helpful information and advice on this matter.

http://www.ltscotland.org.uk/ictineducation/ictadvice/internetsafety.asp

A link to information for parents has been placed as a 'feature' on the home page of the Council's website. The link is to Parentzone. It is:

http://www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk/Wellbeing/HealthAndWelfare/SafeUseOfTheInternet/Introduction.asp

You could, of course, use these links on your own websites or in newsletters."

Other resources for school managers

BECTA http://schools.becta.org.uk/index.php?section=is

Flow chart for responding to e-safety incidents

http://schools.becta.org.uk/upload-dir/downloads/securing_and_preserving_evidence_flowchart.pdf

Back to top