Using technology safely in schools and at home
Making it happen – A practical guide and resources for schools
IntroductionThis set of resources aims to implement the
government’s eSafety strategy. It highlights the key issues and provides practical guidance, training and advice for schools on how to use technologies as safely as possible. Also included are suggestion on how to advise parents and carers on the use of ICT outside of school.
The TechnologiesICT in the 21st Century has an all-encompassing role within the lives of children and adults. New technologies are enhancing communication and the sharing of information. Technologies are emerging all the time.
The Issues and RisksAs in any other area of life, children and young people are vulnerable and may expose themselves to danger – knowingly or unknowingly – when using the Internet and other digital technologies. Examples of e-safety issues include:
exposure to inappropriate material
bullying via websites and mobile phones
the threat of danger from making contact with a criminal minority via chat rooms and social networking sites
Research, from the UK Children Go Online of 9-19 year olds use of the Internet between 2003-2005 concluded
“…the risks do not merit a moral panic, and nor do they warrant seriously restricting children’s internet use because this would deny them the many benefits of the internet. Indeed there are real costs to lacking access of sufficient skills to use it. However, the risks are nonetheless widespread, they are experienced by many children as worrying or problematic, and they do warrant serious intervention by Government, educators, industry and parents.”
A strategic whole school approach
Guidance from Becta notes that creating a safe ICT learning environment must include:
- An infrastructure of whole school awareness, designated responsibilities, policies and procedures
- An effective range of technological tools;
- A comprehensive Internet safety education programme for the whole school community.
Reference: 
Becta - E-safety Developing whole-school policies to support effective practice
Roles and Responsibilities
- E-safety should be recognised as an essential aspect of strategic leadership and headteachers, with the support of governors, should take a lead in embedding safe Internet practices into the culture of the school.
- Becta recommend that the responsibility of Internet safety be designated to a member of the senior management team and need not necessarily sit with the ICT co-ordinator, for the purpose of the document Becta designates this role as eSafety co-ordinator.
Guidance, Policies and Procedures
Managing the safe use of all technologies in school, and advising parents of issues to consider outside of school, needs to be clearly separated. Account should be taken of E-safety in the following policies, resources and guidance:
- Teaching and Learning;
- Anti-bullying;
- Child Protection;
- Acceptable Use of ICT