Monday 15 July - general overview of internet
Online safety must remain a priority through the summer – exploiters do not take a holiday. This podcast from The 2 Johns explains the fine balance between encouraging healthy exploration of the internet with being open about the dangers it can pose. https://escb.podbean.com/e/general-overview-of-the-internet/
As an adult one of the most beneficial things you can do to keep your child/the child you work with safe from online abuse is to talk to them and have open, honest conversations - show an interest in what they are doing online (even if it means listening to their favourite vlogger) #onlinesafety
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If something bad is happening to you, please don’t feel you are alone. There is ALWAYS someone to listen to you. You may feel able to tell an adult you trust, or you might prefer to speak to someone who doesn’t know you ESCB - I'm a young person
Tuesday 16 July - younger children
The 2 Johns talk about how pre-schoolers and young children view the world through the lens of the internet and how to develop a healthy curiosity in children about what they see and do online. It’s never too early to begin discussions about healthy internet use. https://escb.podbean.com/e/online-safety-for-parents-of-young-children/
Did you know the average parent posts nearly 1,500 photos of their child online by their fifth birthday? Growing up in a digital world can normalise image sharing, which is why it’s so important to have conversations about safe internet use early on, just like road safety or ‘stranger danger’ https://youtu.be/cXvjNpYzsSA
Talk to pre-schoolers about online safety in the same way as…
..road safety
…water safety
…stranger danger
Talking about safe internet use from a young age will encourage open conversations as children get older https://youtu.be/cXvjNpYzsSA
Wednesday 17 July - pre-teens 8-12
Did you know the number of children exploited online doubles between the ages of 11 and 12 years old? If your child is getting their first smartphone before starting secondary school in September make sure you have the correct parental controls set up and are talking to them regularly about their online life ESCB - Online Safety
The internet is 24/7 and available everywhere – think about where else other than at home your child may be accessing the internet and make sure you keep talking to them about safe internet use https://escb.podbean.com/e/online-safety-parents-of-pre-teens/
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Did you know you can report a nude image or video of yourself? It can be scary and you may feel embarrassed, but there is help out there. Search ‘Report Remove Childline’ to find out more.
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If you feel lonely over the summer holidays or if something bad is happening to you, please don’t feel you are alone. There is ALWAYS someone to listen to you whether that is an adult you trust, or anonymously through an online counselling service ESCB - I'm a young person
Thursday 18 July - teens
Any young person could send an inappropriate pic. Even your child. If it happens, try to understand whether there is peer pressure or grooming involved and talk about how to enjoy the internet safely. There are also tools to report and remove these images #onlinesafety ESCB - Reporting concerns
Some great advice from the Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service. How to have conversations with your child about online activity, setting boundaries and how to manage emotions and reactions to content seen online. https://youtu.be/JQUfZwKPs5A
Friday 19 July – online gaming
Is your child into online gaming? Did you know strangers can contact your child especially on public or large servers and send inappropriate, mean or sexual content. They could also groom a child by sending game currency and gifts within a game. Find out how to make your child’s new tech safe with this video from the Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit https://youtu.be/Rum7wfxZfc4
Did you know a child receiving game currency and other gifts within a game could be a sign of grooming? Find out more about online gaming and these new signs of exploitation ESCB - Apps, games and social media
Saturday 20 July - youth involved sexual images
Did you know people can screenshot and share your child’s snaps? Keep your child safe online and find out more about privacy settings ESCB - Online Safety
@The2johns discuss why and how young people are drawn into taking and sharing inappropriate images. They discuss how both parents and young people may be feeling as well as practical advice on getting photos removed https://escb.podbean.com/e/online-safety-youth-involved-sexual-images/
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Would you know what to do if your friend told you about something they had seen online that worried them? Here are a few tips https://youtu.be/HTJFGSiy8qU
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Sharing nudes is breaking the law, even of yourself. Keeping nudes on your phone sent by others is also breaking the law. If you’re worried you can talk to a teacher, school nurse, doctor, social worker (if you have one), police officer, youth worker or an anonymous helpline ESCB - I'm a young person
Sunday 21 July – Online bullying/peer pressure
The adolescent brain is fascinating - did you know it is a completely normal part of development for teenagers to want to take risks? Take a look at this video from The Training Effect which explains the teenage brain and how you can support your children to stay safe and make positive choices https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVMHyTBpyKY
The impact of online bullying and the pressure from social media can be made worse at certain times of the year such as the summer holidays - have a listen to @The2Johns talk about how parents and carers can create a relationship with their child that encourages two way conversation. https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-e3bxs-1055b15
Did you know just under half of those being investigated for exploiting others online are children and most are the same age as the victim. If you’re worried your child might have been a victim our website has information about who to contact ESCB - Reporting concerns
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If you’ve been bullied online, received abusive messages or been asked to do something you don’t want to do, don’t suffer in silence. There is help out there ESCB - I'm a young person
