Week 8 (formal task): Internet Safety.

Currently, internet safety is an issue in primary schools (Palmer, 2006). Many educational researchers, teachers and reporters have reflected on the issue in studies and media alike to portray the harming effects the internet can have on childhood (Palmer, 2006). According to Ofcom (2008), cited in the Bryon Review (2008), 99% of primary aged children have access to the internet. With this in mind, we should be adopting a range of methods to keep children safe on the internet both inside, and outside of school (Byron, 2008). Reflecting on this, The National Children’s Bureau NI (BBC, 2014) states parents should set boundaries and guidelines for children when using the internet. Unfortunately, alongside potential dangers such as porn pop-ups, online grooming and harmful websites, children can also encounter cyberbulling (Shariff, 2009). Shariff (2009) implores parents to prevent children, under the legal age, from having social networking sites such as Facebook and Myspace because they can become a catalyst for cyberbullying between peers.

Considering the potential dangers of the internet, and trying to promote internet safety, The National Crime Agency has recognised the need for internet safety and introduced The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). The CEOP have teamed up with other important agencies, such as NSPCC, UKCCIS and Virtual Global Taskforce, to create a website for parents, teachers and children to access for advice on internet safety. This is a potential resource to use in schools; I would introduce the topic to children so they can play an active role in keeping themselves safe on the internet. The website can be accessed online via; http://ceop.police.uk/. In relation, http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110130111510/http://nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/safeguarding is another useful website to use to promote internet safety.

Bryon (2008) declares that young children usually use the internet for gaming; while some teachers may encourage children to use it for homework. During SE3, the teacher set maths homework fortnightly on the ‘MyMaths’ website; children had to log on to access the task whilst proceeding to have it marked online after completing. In relation, Bryon (2008) found that many parents adopt positive attitudes towards the internet, stating it makes homework tasks more accessible and easier for their children. In theory, the MyMaths website, seen used on SE3, is not perceived at a safety threat because it is only accessed for tasks, however children need to be aware not to share their log in details. I have also seen another school run an internet safety campaign across a two week period; this touched on cyberbullying.

Many parents believe that without the internet at home, children are automatically at a disadvantage (Byron, 2008). However, in contrast Ofcom (2008), cited in Byron (2008), state that more than 28% of 5-17 year olds have witnessed either inappropriate or harmful content whilst using the internet. In relation, Byron (2008) found that many parents perceived the internet to be a safer means to communicate. However parents attitudes tend to shift, in regards to internet, as children become older (Byron, 2008). Between the age of 7-8 Bryon (2008) found that children began to stray from the designated website parents had given consent; although, simultaneously, these children often felt both anxious about doing this incase they came across something dangerous. Correspondingly, McStravick, a director at the NCB, implores the need for parents to talk to their children about the websites they use (BBC, 2014). She continues to state that it is a necessary and fundamental element to building online boundaries for children; consequently, it will enable them to stay safe (BBC, 2014).

Bibliography:

Becta. Next Generation Learning. [online website] http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110130111510/http://nextgenerationlearning.org.uk/safeguarding (accessed 11.03.2014)

Byron, T. (2008). Safer children in a digital world: the report of the Byron Review: be safe, be aware, have fun. [Online] Available athttp://dera.ioe.ac.uk/7332/1/Final%20Report%20Bookmarked.pdf. (Accessed 06/03/2014)

Palmer, S. (2006) Toxic Childhood: How the Modern World is Damaging Our Children and What We Can Do About it. London: Orion Books.

Shariff, S. (2009) Confronting Cyber-bullying; What Schools NEED TO KNOW To Control Misconduct and Avoid Legal Consequences. New York: Cambridge University Press

The National Children’s Bureau. (2014) NI parents ‘unaware’ of their children’s online activity. Published by BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26131875 (accessed 10.03.2014)