Week 8: E-safety & Ethics

Week 8

 E-safety & Ethics

‘Digital Natives are transforming businesses. To date, their biggest impact has been through their entrepreneurship, as Mark Zuckerburg’s facebook demonstrates’ (Palfrey et al, 2008:224). However the increase in social networking in recent years illustrates how very few young people are thinking about the consequences of the data and information they are presenting on the internet. Research has found that around 49% of young people claimed to  have given out personal information, such as their full names, ages, email addresses, phone numbers, hobbies or names of their schools, to someone they have been in contact with on the internet (Online: UK Children Go, 2005). Concerns for privacy and safety are ever increasing with the rise of internet usage, and the amount of information available at a click of a button (Palfrey et al, 2008).

The Byron review is founded in the needs of children and young people. It emphasises that children have the right to play video games and access content on the internet in a safe, responsible and informed way (eSafety, 2008). The review also states that better regulation following agreed codes of practice and greater education regarding internet safety should be taught. Furthermore educational establishments are required to work with Government and the third sector to support vulnerable children and young people, especially in supporting parents and children with development of their knowledge of how to improve their safety online (eSafety, 2008).

Moreover the United Nations Conventions of the Rights of a Child (1989) identifies that each child should be entitled to particular rights. Article 13, Freedom of expression ‘Children have the right to get and share information, as long as the information is not damaging to them or others [...] The freedom of expression includes the right to share information in any way they choose, including by talking, drawing or writing.’ (United Nations Child, 1989:2). Ultimately informing children about the measure they could take in order to protect themselves should take place in school, particularly as there is also evidence to suggest that parents are not so conscious about the risks the internet could pose to a child roaming freely and un-securely. For instance, from the UK Children Go research mentioned only 5% of parents think their child has given out such information. (Online: UK Children Go, 2005)

Admittedly during placements, I had not entirely been made aware of the regulations in place to protect children from potential online risks. This part of the module has enable me to endeavour for more information, as it is important for new teachers entering the profession to be ‘equipped with e-safety knowledge and skills... including revising the statutory ICT test’ (eSafety, 2008:2).

eSafety (2008) Safer Children in a Digital World: The Byron Review. (27.03.08) [Online] http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/byronreview (Accessed 5.03.14)

Palfrey, J. & Gasser, U. (2008). Born digital : understanding the first generation of digital natives. New York : Basic Books

UK Children Go (2005) Economic and Social Research Council, Your Safety Net London, UK: Association of Teachers and Lecturers

United Nations Child (1989) Convention on the Rights of the: UNCRC [Online] http://www.unicef.org/crc/files/Rights_overview.pdf  (Accessed 05/03/14)