Online Safety

As the lockdown continues and more learning is accessed online, as a school we wanted to take the opportunity to repeat some key information relating to online safety. Research has shown an increase in offenders trying to make contact with children via social media since the outbreak of COVID and it is more important than ever to be aware of how to keep children safe online. Children are facing many online risks including online abuse, cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, sexting, grooming, and radicalisation (NSPCC).

Parent Controls

Recently, several parents and carers have contacted the school to ask for further details about parental controls. Parental controls help you to block or filter upsetting or inappropriate content and control purchases within apps. You can install parental control software on your child’s and family’s phones or tablets, games consoles, laptops, and your home internet. Below is a link to Internet Matters where you will find further information about how to alter these settings to ensure your daughter cannot access inappropriate materials.

Online teen speak

Many teenagers will also use internet acronyms to hide what they are trying to say from their parents. How many of these do you recognise?

420 – Marijuana

ASL – Age, Sex, Location

CD9 – Parents are around

FTFY – Fixed That For You

IRL – In Real Life

For more information follow the link below:

https://parentinfo.org/article/online-teen-speak-updated

There are many websites and apps designed to inform parents about how to protect their children from risks online. You can find further information and regular updates by visiting the school website.

http://www.penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk/online-safety/6953775.html

If you would like further information and support about online safety please drop an email to the address below:

s.hall@penworthamgirls.lancs.sch.uk

Mrs S Hall

Deputy Headteacher

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