Monday 10 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/
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
As a parent/carer or safeguarding professional one of the most impactful 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
Tuesday 11 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 an 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 and stranger danger
Talking about safe internet use from a young age will encourage open conversations as children get older https://youtu.be/cXvjNpYzsSA
Wednesday 12 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 you’re getting your child their first smartphone before starting secondary school in September – make sure you know how to keep them safe online and when using social media
The internet is 24/7 – it’s not just at home you need to think about keeping your kids safe online. Think about where else they may be accessing it and how to prepare them for owning their first smartphone. https://escb.podbean.com/e/online-safety-parents-of-pre-teens/
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. #onlinesafety
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 .An adult you trust, or Anonymously through an online counselling service
Thursday 13 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 #onlinesafety
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
The @Samaritans #onlinesafety hub co-designed by young people has lots of useful information including how to report worrying content Online safety resources Online safety resources | Samaritans
Friday 14 July – online gaming
Podcast for young people from Brook Essex - answering all your questions about how to have healthy relationships in a digital world, the dangers that technology can present with relationships and what to do if you’re asked to send a nude. https://escb.podbean.com/e/for-young-people-healthy-online-relationships-and-potential-risks/
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. 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
Traditional signs of exploitation are now merged with new, digital ones…for example, did you know a child receiving game currency and other gifts within a game could be a sign of exploitation?
Saturday 15 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
@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/
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
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
Sunday 16 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 them to tell them about these issues and the support available.
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
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
