3 ways to keep students safe online
In this blog, we present three ways to keep students safe online. We also outline some of the safety features of our IT equipment that make it an ideal choice for schools!
Today’s children are growing up as digital natives. From an early age, they become proficient in using technology – so, it’s almost second nature! With 49% of six-year-olds allowed to use a family device, the likelihood is that children of all ages will spend time online that adults won’t necessarily know about. It’s therefore important that they’re taught the skills to safely and competently navigate a virtual landscape. Although government policies for safeguarding and protection exist, this article explains three ways your school can keep students safe online.
1. Teach kids how and when to seek support
With the amount of time children spend online, it’s inevitable they’ll encounter something that upsets or concerns them. So, it’s vital to let children know that help is there if and when they need it.
The Department for Education advises schools to teach students to recognise the signs of online grooming and harassment, for example. In doing this, you can prevent your students from serious harm. Make them aware of unacceptable behaviours such as cyberbullying, abuse, or the spread of inappropriate images. And encourage them to report and block people demonstrating offensive behaviour.
Nominate trusted adults – e.g. someone from your IT department, teachers, and parents – and let your students know they can contact them with any online-related issues.
2. Point them towards trustworthy resources
Whilst limiting unsupervised access to the Internet is a sensible option, it’s impossible to monitor every single search or click. To prevent kids from accessing potentially damaging sources, like chatrooms or sites promoting false information, point them towards reliable, confidential advice. Organisations such as Childnet and Childline offer free, professional guidance to help keep students safe online.
Establishing secure and safe spaces to turn to for private matters allows kids to seek help without feeling judged. In turn, access to trusted resources can encourage them to make positive choices!
3. Privacy settings
Our Chromebooks have built-in safety features to help keep students safe online. For example, integrated security chips ensure that data is encrypted and sensitive information can’t be stolen. Our Chromebooks grant you access to a host of pre-checked educational resources, too.
You might also want to think about using your IT lessons to encourage students to strengthen their privacy settings on their personal accounts.
With the installation of our devices, we can provide training on digital safety to boost your staff’s knowledge. For example, we can support your teachers through demonstrations of our EdTech’s advanced security features. Our optional professional set-up service means you can ensure that your equipment settings will also be modified to keep your students safe online.
Our close links with manufacturers and suppliers allow us to provide all the IT equipment your school could need! With a wide range of EdTech available from iMacs to Chromebooks, and no capital outlay needed, it couldn’t be easier to kit out your classrooms! If you’d like to find out more about our range of IT products, contact us today.
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