Wellbeing

e-Safety

At school the internet is mostly used to support teaching and learning. However, at home it is often used differently. Not only is it a study resource for students, but it is a social space to meet, play and chat. The internet can be lots of fun.

If you have the internet at home, encourage your child to show you what they are doing online.

Bullying, stranger danger, gossip, divulging personal information have long been issues for young people online. These are not ‘virtual’ issues. They are real and can harm and hurt.

At home we recommend you:       

• make some time to sit with your child to find out how they are using the internet and who else is involved in any online activities
• ask them to give you a tour of their ‘space’ if they are using a site which allows them to chat, publish photos, play games, etc.
• always get them to maximize their privacy settings if they use a social networking site like Facebook.
• have the computer with internet access set up in a shared place in the house - not your child’s bedroom.
• negotiate appropriate times for your child’s online activities and use of mobile phones
• ask questions when your child shows you what they are doing:
  • How does it work, how do you set it up and can you block out people?
  • Who else is sharing this space or game - did you know them before or ‘meet’ them online and what do you know about them?
  • Why is this so enjoyable - what makes it fun?
  • Can you see any risks or dangers in the activity - what would you say to warn/inform a younger child who was going to start to use the space?
  • What are you doing to protect yourself or your friends from these potential dangers?
  • When would you inform an adult about an incident that has happened online that concerns you?

If you or the students become aware of any cyber-bullying involving students at CSC, please report this to the school.