Year 5 & 6 Workshop Overview

Year by year, children are starting their digital journey earlier, and the number of users is increasing.
 

Social Media Usage:

The key message is to highlight the need for open and honest communication between parents and children about using social media. Children need to fully understand the importance of having a private account and really be aware of the risks of having accounts that are public, as this opens them up to anyone making a direct connection.  

Online Gaming:

Four crucial warning signs that children should be aware of to reduce the risk of online grooming.

Avoid sharing personal information: This includes their name, age, address, school, and phone number.

Decline gifts: Children should not accept gifts, as adults looking to exploit them might offer in-game currency or online gifts as a way to gain trust.

Reject private connections: Children should avoid connecting privately with unknown individuals. Adults sometimes try to move conversations to private platforms like WhatsApp or Snapchat.

Never meet up: Meeting in person with online friends is obviously highly risky.

All parents take the time to fully understand what their children are doing online

and the functions available on the apps and games they use:

• Can they chat with others?
• Can they connect with people they don't know?
• What kind of content can they be exposed to?
• What are the age ratings of the games and apps they use?

By understanding these aspects, parents can make informed decisions and provide the necessary support for their children's online activities. Knowledge is the key to fostering meaningful conversations and sharing ideas on how to ensure online safety at home.

If we all (school / parents / carers) work together, we can create a safer online environment for our children.