Discussion of E-safety takes place in a wider debate about children and protection of children. We have a confused agenda about the rights of the child and the avoidance of risk. On one hand many people are worried about an over protective approach to children on the other hand, but when it comes to concrete examples, few people are willing to propose more risk taking.  

The confusion extends to ICT. We are all excited by the breaking down of boundaries with ICT and the opportunities to talk to anyone, anywhere. At the same time we are very naturally concerned with children entering into relationships and establishing trust with people who may not be who they say they are. There are legitimate concerns over ‘grooming’ and cyber bullying. Schools are always going to be cautious in managing children’s use of ICT. This sometimes results in over restrictive controls on the WWW but you can see why teachers and head teachers are genuinely concerned not only about incidents themselves but the feedback from parents and the wider publicity given to stories of misuse reported in the press.

For you to think about

Imagine the concerns a parent might have about their chiclren's use of the Internet.

For you to read / view further

First go to Teachers’ TV resources for e-safety at Key stage 3 and key stage 4

"This programme outlines simple classroom activities to help teachers to take practical steps to keep pupils safe online and to increase awareness of the potential dangers of internet usage.

E-safety consultant Dr Alan Beecham visits Rhodesway Secondary School in Bradford to work with a group of Year 9 students. Humanities teacher Haroon Gardee and Year 7 inclusion manager Max Crowther join Dr Beecham to gauge pupils' reaction to a fictitious profile they created on a social networking site.

Another activity highlights the dangers of sharing too much information, while a further task focuses on security and privacy settings.

At Stocksbridge High School in Sheffield, e-safety officers apply an internet safety policy, run parental awareness evenings, and act as a point of contact for pupils."

See also

The case study Safe and Sound within the National Curriculum Web site go to
http://curriculum.qcda.gov.uk/key-stages-3-and-4/case_studies/casestudieslibrary/case-studies/Safe_and_sound_online.aspx?

Byron, T. Safer Children in a Digital World: the report of the Byron Review (2008) DCSF, London.

John Woollard provides links to further resources at IT tutors site

http://www.ict-tutors.co.uk/index.php?sec=4&tp=8&layout=1&ts=1