As part of our Focus Week on National Anti-Bullying Week, we are placing a heavy emphasis on online safety which is always an important tissue in teenage life, but also one that will become even greater as the second lockdown measures start to bite into social time and face-to-face interaction.
One of the big challenges for parents is that tablets, mobile phones, etc, are such an integral part of teenage life so it is tough to monitor what goes on. Equally, the pace of change and online experiences is so great that what was up-to-date yesterday can seem like it is out-of-date today.
Two big aspects to think about during lockdown will be ‘Online Content’ and ‘Streaming’ as these will both be high profile in home life in the weeks ahead and National Online Safety have provided two excellent resources to offer guidance to parents in these areas:
Resource 1 – What You Need To Know About Streaming
Resource 2 – Conversation Starters for Parents and Carers
Matt Allman, Headteacher, said: “We have been well aware that the COVID pandemic has overshadowed much of everyday life but the online risks of the past have not gone away and in many ways are greater than ever. We would urge all parents to check out these materials and to keep an eye on our website and social media accounts as we will keep the updates flowing as thick and fast as ever. There is no doubt that being in the know offers great protection to your child – both in terms of dealing with problems, but just as importantly, educating your child to recognise threats when they emerge.”
