Social Media Ban – 5 Questions Schools Need Answered

Australia was the first, many countries around the world are starting (or considering) following suit. Whilst there are no details for the UK yet apart from an announcement there is going to have to be very clear direction as to what this means for schools, such as:

• To what extent will schools be expected to enforce the ban?
• Will a ban make students less likely to report harm?
• What about YouTube for educational use?

There’s a really good article on TES, the link is here:

Link: 5 questions schools need answered on the social media ban.

CSA Victims to get Help to Remove Online Images

Launching this week victims in England and Wales will soon be given more help not only to have their images removed from the internet, but also a wider package of support including trauma support and the possibility of having a victim impact statement read out in court against their perpetrators. 

It’s called Project Echo and sounds really good, I’m sure survivors will welcome this extra support and it’s one for DSL’s to take not of in addition to the current historic services such as Report/Remove and Take It Down.

Link: Project Echo – CSA victims in England and Wales to get help to remove online images.

Responding to Sexual Threats and Harmful Sexual Comments

With over two thirds of 13017 year olds experiencing sexual victimisation through words or gestures the Lucy Faithfull Foundation have put together a brilliant guide for schools for responding to sexual threats and harmful sexual comments using the six ‘R’s’ framework:

• Recognise.
• Respond.
• Record.
• Report.
• Risk management.
• Reflect.

Link: Lucy Faithfull Foundation – responding to sexual threats and harmful sexual comments.

Announcement – Online Safety Pro – SEND Version

This has been on my to-do list for some time. Online Safety Pro gives schools access to annually updated and refreshed online safety training to staff and parents plus half-termly updates for staff and parents. 

One of the most challenging areas is for children with SEND, including the staff that work with the children and their parents/carers.

I am now pleased to announce that Traci Gregory, an SEND specialist, and myself have put our heads together and a specific SEND version of Online Safety Pro will be available from this coming September. All resources will be ready at the end of August ready for the new school year.

Current schools who have subscribed to Online Safety Pro, whether they are an SEND school or not, will also have access to these new resources.

For further details about Online Safety Pro including costs see here:

Link: Online Safety Pro

For Parents – Layering Up for Online safety

Protecting children and mitigating risk at home doesn’t just mean applying a filter and changing a few app settings, it needs a layered approach, and this is where the Internet Matters ‘Layering Up for Online Safety’ comes in. This helps and guides ou to set up devices safely across networks, the devices themselves and the apps alongside regular conversations. There is a downloadable guide which will show you how to layer up in a simple, manageable way.

Link: Internet Matters – Layering Up for Online Safety.