Safer Internet Day 7th February 2023
We will be taking part in the next Safer Internet Day (SID) on. The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. It calls upon young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies, policymakers, and wider, to join together in helping to create a better internet. The Safer Internet Day website showcases the many events and activities which took place across the globe to mark the day in previous years. Check the website for:
- Parents/Carers - Tips, Advice, Guides and Resources
- Pupils - Games Quizzes and Films & Advice
The site is still being regularly updated, so please check in often for the latest news on what happens on the day and visit Safer Internet Day on Facebook and Twitter
Online Safety & CEOP
County Line Parent webinars – county lines and criminal exploitation
For information available for families who are currently affected by county lines or child criminal exploitation. The link to the PACE UK website – PACE work alongside Lancashire Constabulary and are already an excellent resource and support to parents and carers in Lancashire.
Parents and carers can learn from the panel of experts what criminal exploitation is, how to spot signs it may be happening their child and how to seek help. The interactive webinar will also give the audience the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns and connect with others.
- Learn what county lines is
- Understand what is happening in your local area
- Understand the signs that your child might be at risk
- Learn how offenders groom and exploit children
County Lines - City Based Gangs
County lines is about city-based gangs expanding their illegal drugs businesses into new areas, often exploiting children in the process.
When an organised crime group or urban gang from an area such as London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, or West Yorkshire extends their drug dealing operation into other counties it's often referred to as 'county lines'. ‘Line’ refers to the mobile phone drug lines that organised crime groups market to sell their drugs.
Gangs need people to transport drugs and cash and often exploit children and vulnerable adults to do so. These drugs runners are incentivised with things that they want or need such as money, gifts like designer clothes and trainers, status, perceived friendship, or protection in return for completing tasks. Soon these gifts and intangible benefits turn into threats of what will happen if they don’t complete a task. These intimidation tactics make it very difficult for new recruits to say no, particularly as debts are incurred.
Children as young as 10 and vulnerable adults are made to travel many miles away from home to coastal towns and rural locations to deliver Class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine, collect cash, and even carry out enforcement for the gang. Travelling to areas where they are not known by the authorities allows them to fly under the radar for longer, carrying the risk on behalf of senior gang members. This causes obvious problems in our communities as vulnerable adults and children go missing for days at a time, missing school and being away from any support.
Further information and videos are available on the Lancashire Constabulary Website here
Staying Safe Online
The range and complexity of today's technology can often seem bewildering for many parents and carers, particularly with older children who may seem permanently 'connected'. A world has opened up which offers many positive opportunities and staying safe online is essential.
In school, year groups cover issues revolving around cyber safety and cyber bullying through ICT lessons, pastoral sessions, PSHE lessons and in other cross-curricular activities.
It is important we understand enough about the internet to keep our children safe from harm but is equally important that we equip our children with the skills they need to keep themselves safe so they can experience the Internet positively and responsibly.
Below are suggested resources to assist you and your child stay safe:
Popular Social Media:
- Facebook "UK Safer Internet Centre"
- Instagram "UK Safer Internet Centre"
- Snapchat "UK Safer Internet Centre"
- TikTok "UK Safer Internet Centre"
- You Tube - Suicide & Self Injury
- You Tube - Staying Safe on You Tube
- What's App "UK Safer Internet Centre"
- What's App Guide for Parents & Carers from www.natioinalonlinesafety.com
Further Documents to Download:
National Online Safety Publications - What Parents/Carers Need to Know about...
Please see below for useful sheets on what parent/carers need to know on issues to keep children safe online.
National Online Safety Mobile App
It's time to get #OnlineSafetySavvy.
Children are spending more time than ever online. As adults, we need to do everything we can to keep them safe in the digital world. But with new apps, games and platforms emerging every day, how can you stay in the know?
Say hello to the new National Online Safety mobile application. Created by experts, developed by us. With all online safety knowledge available at your fingertips, the NOS app empowers parents and teachers to understand and address online safeguarding risks – any time, anywhere.
The world’s most comprehensive online safety app, it’s packed with insightful courses, explainer videos, webinars and guides on topics that will help you protect the kids you care about.
BROWSE HUNDREDS OF AWARD-WINNING GUIDES• A new guide every week as part of our #WakeUpWednesday campaign.• Find out about the latest online platform, game or device children are talking about.• Search for online risks and get tips for keeping children safe online.• Learn about parental controls and how to monitor online activity.• Share, review and download your favourite guides.
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Useful Websites:
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) which is a command of the National Crime Agency and is dedicated to tackling the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and young people. CEOP helps children and young people under the age of 18 who have been forced or manipulated into taking part, or are being pressured to take part, in sexual activity of any kind. This can be both online and offline. The CEOP Safety Centre offers information and advice for children and young people, parents and carers and professionals. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking HERE.
Online bullying or other online concerns should not be reported to CEOP and children and young people should be directed to speak to an adult they trust, and/or referred to Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk, if they would like to speak to someone about how they are feeling.
Childnet International is a non-profit organisation which works to help make the internet a safe place for children. They have advice and resources to help parents and young people. There is a Know it All resource section for teachers and parents here.
The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NW ROCU) Their mission is to protect the communities within the North West from serious and organised crime. There are many further links on this website e.g. cybercrime, child exploitation county lines, crimestoppers, so this isn't just an online safety. There is also the option to report crimes online. They help and support schools in the North West, highlight opportunities in cyber security to encourage us to put skills to use in industry & intervene & divert YP away from committing cybercrime.
e-safety-adviser produce #DITTO is a free online safety (e-safety) magazine for schools, organizations and parents to keep up to date with risks, issues, advice and guidance related to keeping children safe online, with a view to enjoying and learning about technology. A new edition is released approx. every 6 weeks.
GOV.UK - Coronavirus (COVID-19): support for parents and carers to keep children safe online (published 14-04-20)
GOV.UK - What you can do to stay safe online during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (published 23-04-20)
Internetmatters.org A not-for-profit organisation that help keep children safe in the digital world and are able to offer advice and information available on tackling e-safety issues. Their site offers help to make the right decisions for you and your family. Parent Guides can be downloaded here.
National Cyber Security Centre The NCSC's cyber security advice to protect you and your family, and the technology you rely on.
National Cyber Security Centre - Cyber First (Education & Skills - 11-19 year olds) CyberFirst are cyber professionals through their student bursaries, free courses for 11-17 year olds and exciting competitions.
National Online Safety Free Online Safety Guides, 10 Top Tips: Remote Learning for Teachers, Parents and Children - Guides to help teachers, parents and carers and children in getting the most out of their remote learning experience.
NSPCC - Keeping children safe Online.
The Parent Zone, a website offering support and advice to parents, have developed a program called Digital Resilience: A Parents Guide.
UK Council for Child Internet Safety brings together representatives from government, industry and charities to work together for safety online.
UK Safer Internet Centre where you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe online. There is a Parents' Guide to Technology Section here. There is also a page on Parental Controls Offered by your Internet Provider here.