Online Safety Updates and News
Please scroll down to find news, and updates, on E-safety matters that may concern your child/ren.
We, as a school, have a duty of care to the children we teach. We want every child to be safe and responsible when using the internet, and gaming, both in school and at home.
If you have any questions regarding anything E-safety related, please do not hesitate to get in contact with any member of staff.
Miss Charlton
Online Safety Lead
October 2nd 2018
FORTNITE ONLINE SAFETY UPDATE:
Cheshire East Police have shared the following information today:
Do you or your kids play Fortnite? Beware of fraudsters offeringfree Vbucks. They will seek access to your account and createcharges or may ask for your phone number and sign you up topremium rate subscriptions.
Be careful with your personal data.
July 14th 2018
ROBLOX
Popular online game ROBLOX is facing fire in the media, due to anumber of recent incidents. Although the game is PEGI rated 7+,the game allows unmoderated user-created content, there is nowa lot of highly unsuitable content.
We always advise parents to monitor their child/ren when usingapps, the internet, gaming, etc.
Below is a link to ‘Roblox – a guide for parents’:
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/roblox-guide-parents
July 6th 2018
Are you aware of the Snap Map feature on Snapchat?
What is Snap Map?
Snap Map allows you to see where your Snapchat contacts are,share your current location and view Snaps from nearby-Snapchatusers or users at a specific event or location. The location sharingfeature is available to users around the world. Snap Map is an opt-in function and you can choose who you share your location with.
How does Snap Map work?
Snap Map uses mobile phone technology to find out where itsusers are and then draws them on a map in real time. You canbrowse the map to see where your friends are and view storiesfrom other Snapchat users. You can click on their avatars to seethe photos and snaps that they have shared.
Who can see my location?
When you open the Snap Map for the first time, you will get aprompt to choose your location settings for the map. Locationsettings can be changed at any stage using the settings function.
- Only Me (Ghost Mode): Your location won’t be visible to anyoneelse on the Map. You can still see other users’ locations.
- My Friends: Your location will be visible to all of your friends onthe Map — including any new friends you make.
- Select Friends…: Choose specific friends to share your locationwith. Friends you select won’t be notified that you chose them, butthey’ll be able to see your location on the Map.
Advice for Parents and Teens!
Allowing users to see where their friends are in real time is anappealing feature for teens. Snap Map is incredibly accurateshowing your exact location on an interactive map. There are afew things to consider when using Snap Map:
- Choose your location setting: Consider using the Ghost Mode orselecting close friends, this will give you more control over whocan see you. If you choose the Friends setting – Ensure youreview your friends list. Do not share your location with peopleyou do not know in real life.
- Location-sharing services can give other users a clear picture ofthe places you regularly visit (home, school, etc.). Considerwhether this is information you want to share with others.
- If you choose to share a story using the ‘Our Story’ featureanyone can view that story regardless of what sharing setting youchoose for Snap Map. Consider how much information you wantpeople to see. For advice on talking to your child about what theyshare online go to: webwise.ie/parents/talking-points-posting-sharing-online/
Reporting on the Snap Map
If a user encounters any inappropriate content on the Snap Map,they should report it with Snapchat. Report a Snap by:
1. Go to the Snap you want to report
2. Press and hold on the Snap
3. Tap the Report/Flag button that appears in the bottom-leftcorner
May 21st 2018
FORTNITE
Many of you may have heard of this game, and we have noticed amassive increase in the number of young people playing it.
The game has a PEGI rating of 12, and PEGI say this is due to the’frequent scenes of mild violence. It is not suitable for personsunder 12 years of age’.
But be aware, PEGI only takes the game’s content into accountwhen rating. Fortnite is an online game, and so children may beexposed to swearing and offensive language from strangers invoice or on-screen chat.
There are many videos of gameplay from Fortnite on websitessuch as YouTube, so also be aware that your child may beexposed to this, even if they do not play the game themselves.
For more information and advice on Fortnite, have a look at thelink below:
http://www.childnet.com/blog/a-parents-guide-to-fortnite-battle-royale