This week kicked off our online teaching and learning at St Edmund’s College. Whilst it was very quiet in classrooms and corridors, the staffrooms were busy with students online.
Students need to be empowered with the skills, knowledge and confidence to learn with digital tools at school, at home and in their communities. ICT transforms how students think and offers them greater flexibility over how, where and when they learn. It’s not always easy to know what is safe online. The following 10 tips will help:
- Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number.
- Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore.
- Keep your privacy settings as high as possible
- Never give out your passwords.
- Don’t befriend people you don’t know.
- Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Speak to your parent or carer about people suggesting you do.
- Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.
- Think carefully about what you say before you post something online.
- Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude.
- If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, turn off your computer if you want to and tell a trusted adult immediately.
More information can be found at http://www.safetynetkids.org.uk/personal-safety/staying-safe-online/
Klara Manenica
Head of Mulrooney House