The growth of the internet and the development of mobile technology have created an exciting and stimulating world for young people with great opportunities for exploration learning and social interaction .It is also an area where there are dangers such as abuse, bullying, fraud and identity theft. Young people need to be safe when they are on line and especially they need to learn to use the internet in a safe way .The pace of change in mobile technology means that the internet can be accessed from many different sources such as computers, mobile phones , and even game consoles and this trend is likely to continue. The pace of this change means that technological barriers and filters alone will not keep young people safe, they need to learn to protect themselves online by the way they behave online .All parents and carers will have a key part to play in helping the young people they look after, to stay safe on line.
Children and Young people
In order for young people to be safe on line they need to have trusted adults that they can turn to for advice and help .Young people need to know that they can discuss their problems and especially their mistakes so that when things do go wrong there is someone there who can protect them .Most young people are very proficient in the use of new technologies and they enjoy what they do ,but at the same time they want to be safe .It is therefore important that within their home the use of the internet and other mobile technology is an open subject and where the interests and the enjoyment that this brings as well as the difficulties and dangers are all shared and discussed.
Parents and Carers
Parents and carers can actively help their young people by finding out about the internet and mobile technology and sharing their experiences within the family. Carers should also find out about the websites and services that their young people visit and should find out about the friends and contacts that young people make when they are online .Young people will not always tell adults about the sites that they have visited and it is a sensible precaution to make a check of what they are exploring .It is equally important not to overreact if something unsuitable or dangerous is found as there needs to be an open dialogue about the use of the internet .Young people will be at their most vulnerable when they isolate themselves online from the people who are there to help them so maintaining communication is very important .
E Safety Strategy
In Bath and North East Somerset there is a strategy which has been developed with the Local Safeguarding children board to guide young people , parents and professional workers in keeping young people safe when they are on line. LSCB - E Safety Strategy
Training programme
As a part of the strategy there is a programme of training and education in safety which will be available to everyone .
Inter-agency Training brochure 2010 -11
Useful links
There are a number of useful links that provide advice and guidance about how to be safe when on line