The Internet is now regarded as an essential resource to support teaching and learning. The curriculum requires pupils to learn how to locate, retrieve and exchange information using ICT. In delivering the curriculum, teachers need to plan to integrate the use of communications technology such as web-based resources and e-mail and mobile learning, such as phones and touch screen tablet devices. Computer skills are vital to access life-long learning and employment; indeed Computing is now seen as an essential life-skill.
Young people have access to the Internet from many places, home, school, friends' homes, libraries and in many cases mobile phones. Schools have a number of services to help ensure that curriculum use is safe and appropriate, however, access out of school does not usually have these services and has a range of risks associated with its use. Schools are ideally placed to help young people learn to become e-safe.
The internet has changed all of our lives, particularly our children's. For parents and carers this opens up a whole new world of things to be aware of. The links below are to websites with lots of useful information to help parents and carers. They give you advice on how to talk to your children about what they are doing online, how to monitor what they are using and what the capabilities of different devices are.
SETTING UP A DEVICE SAFELY FOR CHILDREN
There are lots of apps, games and programmes children can use on their different electronic devices and it can be worrying for parents to know how to protect their children online. Have a look at the poster to see some easy ways to manage your devices safely for children.