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The Parents Guide

Internet Safety- Ages 11-14 (Year 7-9)

The information in this presentation is evidenced from Ofcom.org.uk and the sites below:

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SCAN TO VIEW THIS PRESENTATION

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What we will explore...

Tech concerns for all parents.

1

Typical online behavior at this age.

2

Strategies to adopt.

3

Monitoring devices at home.

4

Supporting you and your child.

5

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Tech concerns for all parents.

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COMMON

CONCERNS

PARENTS HAVE ABOUT DEVICES AND THE INTERNET

REF:

Ofcom.org.uk

National college.com

FIVE

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  1. Over sharing�

Posting regrettable content, messages to others.

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  • Online Abuse�

Bullying, social exclusion, fake-profiles, being hacked.

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  • FOMO

Best-life ever! Body image, false-expectations, social anxiety, depression/mental health. �Constantly checking device for messages.

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  • Over-use

Binge-watching/gaming, grumpy/argumentative, �attention deficit, sleep deprivation. �Leading to screen addiction.

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  • Content

Accessing undesirable/�inappropriate content.

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Daunting, Ever-Changing Digital World

Risks:

  • Inappropriate content.
  • Online bullying.
  • Addiction.

Health risk: Eyes, sleep etc

Changes so fast- �Seems impossible to keep up.

Advantages:

  • Form friendships.
  • Creativity.
  • Fun.
  • Knowledge/ Learning.

Skills: Future/ careers.

Communication�Connecting and learning about the world/ family.

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Acceptance

  • Technology is not going to go away or slow down.

  • There are lots of positive uses for tech!

  • If you block it or ban it, it becomes even more attractive.

  • The more we teach them, the safer they will be.

Scale

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Typical online behavior at this age.

2

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POPULAR WITH TEENAGERS (AS OF DEC 2023)

INFLUENCERS

ALGORITHMS

ECHO CHAMBERS

16+

13+

13+

13+

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So what Social Media can under 13’s use?

  1. Not 100% safe/ may not be available in the Middle East.�
  2. Kids will not want to use them if they feel it is made for younger children/ not popular with peers.

TikTok Restricted Mode

Tiktok isn’t a kid friendly app but there are features to keep kids safe once they are over the age of 13. Learn more about Restricted Mode.

Social Media designed for under 13’s, which include curated video content and parent monitoring features.

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Here are 3 reasons to wait…

We know it can be difficult to say “NO” but there are good reasons why parents should follow age ratings.

1

Brain development: Unable to engage in abstract thinking, which is a necessary prerequisite to ethical thinking.

2

Protect personal info: Data is collected and shared �to third-party companies (allows marketers to observe use).

3

Digital Citizenship: Teaching students to be honest both in the real world and when online and how it protects us.

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Monitor Social Media

Most social media sites are accessible for children over the age of 13. However, some children may not be ready for this and there are many advantages to waiting. Unfortunately, your child may feel pressured to use Social Media by their peers.

Link: Link your email to their accounts and monitor/ ask if you can view their chats. They may also create another account without telling you.

Private: Set accounts to PRIVATE. Check setting so that others are not able to access your childs images or content. View our guide to help with settings.

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BEWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:

LIVE STREAMING: See upsetting content without warning.

Digital Footprint: Speak to your child about how they are viewed online based on what they are posting.

Filters on photos/posts: Damaging to self-worth.

Identity theft: Adjust setting/ beware of what is shared.

Fake news: Misinformation/ manipulating others .

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One step ahead

It is easy for teens to hide apps on their devices (mobile phone/ ipad) and access sites without the app. Here is how they do it:

WITHOUT THE APP

They access TIKTOK for example on a browser.

DECOY APPS

Replaces app with different icon and name (secret cal).

INCOGNITO MODE

No web history. Disable this feature for all devices (You need to be Admin).

HIDE APPS

Hiding apps in folders page and apps within folders. GUIDE

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Talk about it: Why are they using it? �Discuss issues around online safety to help them understand your concerns with these apps.

Decoy apps- What to do.

Do a mobile health check:Regularly review their smartphone’s security, settings. Health check guide

Stay calm: Don’t jump to any conclusions. �Give them the benefit of the doubt and try to first listen to their explanation.

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Many products are designed to sound harmless.

Exposure to inappropriate content.

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RISKS for students

A few things about the use of AI

  1. Data protection

  • Bias information

  • Inappropriate content

Is an AI powered website and can give answers to questions on almost anything.

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The Screenager’s Perspective.

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Reasons why children don’t seek help.

Your child may say:

  1. They won’t understand.
  2. They’ll worry.
  3. They’ll take my phone/ game away.
  4. They’ll judge me.
  5. They’ll try to solve problems without involving me.

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So what do we do?

Nothing is 100% effective but... there

are good strategies we can adopt!

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Strategies to adopt.

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SCREEN TIME LIMITS FOR KIDS

Up to 6 months old:

NO SCREEN TIME

2-5 years old:

1 HOUR CO-VIEWING

5-16 years old:

2 HOURS �EXCEPT FOR HOMEWORK

Replace with NATURAL Dopamine.�

Learn more �(2 min video)

Manage screen time/ phone time.

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OPTION 1: Limit App usage

MORE OF A REMINDER

Not restrictive and more of a reminder for wellbeing.

Suitable once you are ready to manage your own screen usage.

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OPTION 2: CONTROL- Qustodio (Paid).

Pause internet usage.

VPN can bypass filter.

WATCH A REVIEW

Main Features:

  1. Social media monitoring.
  2. Manage screen/ app time.
  3. Track calls and messages (premium).
  4. Location tracking.

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Develop your knowledge.

REGISTER HERE

View parent online safety course HERE (log in first)

Access parent �guides and courses.

GUIDE HERE

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Monitor Chrome- Quick and easy

Check browser history.

Reopen closed tabs.

View their Activity

https://myactivity.google.com/

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What about Gaming?

Gaming can have both positive and negative effects on children. �Here is what you can do to support your children when gaming.

You play: Play the game with them to learn more/ any dangers.

Agreements: Agree on timings and restrictions.

Lets play videos: Be careful when they watch video of others playing.

Communal: Encourage them to play where you can see them.

Balance: Screentime with other activities.

Privacy: Teach them how to set privacy setting.

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  • Passive consumption
  • Interactive consumption
  • Communication
  • Content creation

REMEMBER: Not all screen time is equal!

Do what you feel is right for your child & family’s lifestyle!

Ensure Screen time isn’t always alone time. 

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Reduce conflict by…

  • Creating a Family agreement (link).
  • Devices in a shared space (station).
  • Setting ground rules & enforce consequences.
  • Avoiding the use of tech as a �pacifier/reward (ref).
  • Modeling positive digital behaviour.
  • Trying not to overreact if you discover a problem.

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Monitoring your child's devices at home .

4

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Family Link App (free).

  • Manage browsing on chrome.
  • 13+ can remove themselves..

helpdesk@school.st-chris.net

IT SUPPORT- 17605 444

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Family Sharing App

LINK TO VIDEO

SETTING UP GUIDE

WHAT IS FAMILY SHARING

  • Set screen limits.
  • Set up buying permissions
  • Device tracking.
  • 13+ can remove themselves.

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No parental control tool is

100%  effective. �Helping your child build good online safety habits is just as important.

Building good habits.

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Guide and Monitor

  1. Teach about appropriate use (Home/ school).
  2. View all School Online safety content shared.
  3. Consider the age ratings on apps/games.
  4. Spend time on screens together.
  5. If they are using Social Media (Link account).
  6. Use parental control applications if needed, such as Family sharing (age appropriate).

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Supporting you and your child.

5

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View the shared resources for Parents.

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View our student developed DLF website:

LINK TO RESOURCE

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Learning about internet safety- In school

We have an up-to-date online safety Enrichment program.

Example KS3 topics:

  • Being safe when online.
  • Potential dangers of social media.
  • Online location tracking.

Example KS4/5 topics:

  • Screen Addition.
  • Online social pressure.
  • What is the Metaverse?

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Online bullying: Recognise warning signs*.

*Not always a sign that there is a problem.

Use the guides to help your child adjust settings on apps and always speak to your child's HOY if you need further support.

ANY CHANGES IN YOUR CHILD'S MOOD.

EMOTIONS WHEN INTERACTING WITH TECHNOLOGY.

(Not excited by notifications/ does not respond)

WANTING TO BE ALONE WITH DEVICES. � (Running to room whenever they get a message)

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Social Media and bullying- What to do?

A positive experience on Snapchat, for example, ultimately depends on how it is used. Talk to your children about being thoughtful while using social media. Remind them that they should:

Speak to a trusted adult.

Never meet up with strangers.

Block users �that are �abusive and report to the safety team.

Take a �screenshot.

Keep privacy settings to “My �Friends” only.

Keep password private and change if you think someone else knows. LINK

Inform our pastoral team.

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SEVEN Takeaways from this session:

  1. Link your account to your child’s social media account (for support). Wait until your child is over 13/ ready.
  2. Register an account for National Online Safety and try the parent course. Parent guides when needed.
  3. Set up tech agreement (start small and review over time to build good habits).
  4. Make time to look through this presentation.
  5. Model positive digital behaviour.
  6. Perform mobile health checks regularly.
  7. Talk to your child about their online habits �(show interest instead of being suspicious).

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Thank you

Do you have any questions?

Internet Safety- Ages 11-14 (Year 7-9)

Aneil Peswani (Head of Digital Learning)

FEEDBACK AND QUESTION FORM