Top Tips on Internet safety in schools
With schools integrating technology into their students’ educational journey, it is important to understand how to stay safe online. Make all your students mindful of internet safety with these 5 tips. Build their confidence when using the web to prepare them for the technological future ahead of them.
Stop. Think. Share.
When sharing posts online, think before you make your final decision. Some posts may have a positive impact on all views, but some can negatively impact others and come across offensive. Treat online posting as face to face communication. Ever in doubt with what you’re posting, always ask for a second opinion before making the post public. Question what you’re posting. Does it include personal information that you wouldn’t give to anyone other than family and close friends?
To good to be true?
Received something for free via an email or the web? Have you won a competition that you never even entered? STOP! When receiving this type of content, it usually is spam/fraud. Be vigilant when using the web, and don’t get wrapped into click bait activity. Think twice when questions are getting to personal. It is easy to be misled by an email from someone you “may know” – well think it is.
Secure your personal stuff
When creating online accounts with your personal details, you need to protect this from unwanted suspicious activity. Usually, when private information is involved a password is required and sometimes even additional security questions. Creating a password needs to be original yet memorable to you. Using, symbols, numbers and a variation of upper and lowercase letters, strengths your password – R3pl@ce le++ers wit# sYmb0ls & n^mb3rs 1ike Thi$.
Be kind to all
Use the internet to be a friend not an enemy. Lead by example and everyone will follow. It is easy to be swayed by nasty activity that can result into horrible consequences. Therefore, treat everyone online as you would want them to treat you. If you ever come across bullying behaviour, speak up and support your internet buddies.
Questioning suspicious activity? Discuss it!
Surfing the web and come across something unusual? When in a situation that you are not sure about, never fear to ask an adult whether this seems suspicious. Choose a trusted adult that you can confide in and ensure they will support you through any trouble.
What can schools do to support internet safety in schools?
- Constantly mention this throughout lessons to keep all students vigilant.
- Build trust with all your students and encourage them to talk about what they are doing online and what platforms they are using.
- Host internet safety days every couple of months with fun activities and quizzes to emphasise what is appropriate and what is not.
- Get parents/guardians and relatives involved so the same e-safety process gets followed at home.
- Setting classroom rules and expectations with consequences if not obeyed should keep all students safe.