Online Safety
In the 21st Century, modern technology poses many problems as to how to keep people (particularly children) safe when online.
Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter provide opportunities for children to access the world in real-time; including often making contact with strangers. In most cases, these platforms are used correctly and pose no danger to your children - however it is vitally important parents are fully aware of the potential risks and dangers to their children.
Here is some advice as to how to keep your children safe online at home.
Staying Safe Online
Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number.
Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it
Keep your privacy settings as high as possible
Never give out your passwords
Don’t befriend people you don’t know
Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Speak to your parent or carer about people suggesting you do
Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are
Think carefully about what you say before you post something online
Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude
If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried, leave the website and tell an adult immediately.
Social Media
These sites are not to be used by people under the age of 13, however if your child does have an account, please ensure:
Parents check content on a regular basis
Children are advised not to talk to anybody directly ( or through messenger) that they don't know
Children are advised not to post content which provides any personal details of themselves or other family members.
Xbox/Playstation
It's more than just a gaming site. Xbox LIVE and Playstation Network users can also chat with each other, send and receive friend requests, and share their profile and gaming stats.
Gamertags need to be chosen wisely. Never let your child use part of their name, hometown, or other identifying information in their gamertag.
Profiles follow the child, not the console. A child can still access all his Xbox LIVE/ps4 information from a friend's house.
Kids can play games with strangers. Xbox LIVE/PS4 has a “matchmaking” feature to help your child connect with gamers who have certain gamerscores or live in a certain location.
People can privately chat with each other. Up to 8 people can play and talk all at once, but two of them can pair off and talk privately if they want to.
You can make your permission mandatory. Through console controls, you can require your permission for your child to send and receive friend requests, accept game or chat invites, or buy Xbox merchandise.
You can block who your child hears. You can choose “everyone,” “friends,” or “no one.”
Parents are required to help their children set up an account. If your under-18 child has an account and you didn't help set it up, he or she is registered as an adult.
Default settings vary by age. Child and teen accounts are mostly “friends only” by default and some features are blocked, but adult profiles are public and have full access to all features.
Deactivating Xbox LIVE/PS4 doesn't cancel the child's account. On the Xbox or Playstation console there is a setting to disallow Xbox LIVE and PS4 access from that console – but your child can still access it on others unless you cancel their account. Remember that the Xbox LIVE is more than just a video game, it's a social gaming universe.
Always use the same Internet safety cautions as you would on any other social networking site, and if at all possible, sign up yourself and spend time playing with your child too.
For a free online safety guide, please click the link below...
A guide to a healthy online family life