In Moneynick Primary we take issues of safety very seriously. This week we had two PSNI officers in school to talk to all of our children about keeping safe. They spoke with the Y1-3 children about keeping safe on the roads and not talking to people they did not know. They talked to the older children about being safe whilst online. Last month we ran our Partnership Online Safety Art Competition. The winning posters from both schools are now displayed on every computer and laptop in the school.
The children in Y4-7 participated fully in the online safety talk and are now armed with these five rules:
Follow these SMART rules: 5 Top Tips to stay safe online!
Safe:
Keep safe by being careful not to give out personal information when you’re chatting or posting online. Personal information includes your email address, phone number and password.
Meet:
Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. Only do so with your parents’ or carers’ permission and even then only when they can be present. Remember online friends are still strangers even if you have been talking to them for a long time.
Accepting:
Accepting emails, IM messages, or opening files, images or texts from people you don’t know or trust can lead to problems – they may contain viruses or nasty messages!
Reliable:
Someone online might lie about who they are and information on the internet may not be true. Always check information by looking at other websites, in books, or with someone who knows. If you like chatting online it’s best to only chat to your real world friends and family.
Tell:
Tell a parent, carer or a trusted adult if someone, or something, makes you feel uncomfortable or worried, or if you or someone you know is being bullied online.
GREAT ADVICE! Big thanks to Mark and Gary for taking the time to visit us.
In Term 3 our parents will be invited to an evening Online Safety information session, along with parents from Duneane. We would advise every parent to attend this session. As your children get older and technology advances you must be well-informed about Internet Safety. We can work together to protect our young people.
