Online Safety

Download: Online Safety Policy 2023-2024 [PDF]

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Fake News & Scams

Please find the National College guide for ‘What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Fake News & Scams’ below.

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While misinformation and ‘fake news’ are well-known concerns online, it’s also the case that scammers and other cyber-criminals can try to utilise this phony material to manipulate, frighten or otherwise persuade their victims into cooperating.

With constantly evolving scams and such a high volume of misinformation online, it’s vital that parents and educators know how to safeguard the children in their care against these kinds of tactics. Our guide breaks down the most prominent ways in which scammers attempt to use ‘fake news’ to their advantage, as well as how to protect youngsters from being manipulated by such techniques.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Health & Fitness Apps

Please find the National College guide for ‘What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Health & Fitness Apps’ below.

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Over time, more and more fitness apps have been finding their way into circulation. Usually free to download – at least initially – these apps claim to offer helpful advice and assistance in routine management to those looking to lead a healthier lifestyle.

While these platforms can be useful, they do present several safety concerns. These issues become more significant when we consider that children and young people can use these apps to stay active – whether out of concern for their own health or for reasons of body image. Our free guide breaks down the risks of health and fitness apps and offers expert advice on how to address these concerns to safeguard younger users.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about TikTok

Please find the National College guide for ‘What Parents & Educators Need to Know about TikTok’ below.

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Among children – and especially teenagers – TikTok boasts approximately 220 million users, providing a near-endless reel of short clips intended to entertain, educate and more. However, along with its enormous userbase comes a significant number of possible risks: Ofcom have dubbed it the most likely app on which teen users would potentially suffer harm.

With the platform reaching astronomical levels of success among the younger generation, it’s vitally important for parents and educators to understand the risks it poses. This free guide lets you know about the most prominent potential dangers associated with TikTok and offers expert advice on how to safeguard youngsters who are navigating the site.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about JusTalk Kids

Please find the National College guide for ‘What Parents & Educators Need to Know about JusTalk Kids’ below.

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JusTalk Kids is an alternative version of the JusTalk app, aimed at an audience aged 13 and under. As that upper age limit suggests, this social networking platform is intended to be suitable for youngsters, providing them with a space of their own to interact with a community their own age.

Unfortunately, there are still risks associated with JusTalk Kids, so it’s vitally important for parents and educators to understand the potential dangers for those who use the app. Our free guide delves into the most prominent online safety concerns of JusTalk Kids, while also letting you know how to ensure that children can be protected, should they wish to create an account.

Top Tips for Staying Safe on Social Media

Please find the National College guide for ‘Top Tips for Staying Safe on Social Media’ below.

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With social media’s ever-growing popularity among children and young people, it’s important for adults to keep themselves apprised of the associated risks and help youngsters to navigate these platforms in a safe, responsible manner.

However, it can be difficult to know exactly how to protect children and young people while they use these apps. This free guide offers you expert tips on supporting youngsters to enjoy the features of social media while avoiding the risks.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Snapchat

Please find the National College guide for ‘What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Snapchat’ below.

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As one of the most popular messaging apps available, Snapchat sees an enormous amount of usage across the globe – with a significant number of those utilising the platform being under 18. For that reason, it’s important to understand the potential risks to younger users when spending time on this app.

Of course, it can be difficult to identify every hazard associated with the platform, let alone what can be done to mitigate these concerns. Our guide lays out the key online safety risks of Snapchat, as well as how to safeguard young people while they use the app.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Fortnite

Please find the National College guide for ‘What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Fortnite’ below.

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Over the years, Fortnite has become a household name in the gaming community. It was one of the first titles in the ‘battle royale’ subgenre, where players are thrown into a chaotic free-for-all on a sprawling map and fight until only one remains. Its cartoonish presentation and satisfying gameplay loop make it a potentially attractive choice for young players.

However, it’s important to remember that online safety risks are always present – especially in multiplayer games – and Fortnite is no exception. This free guide, put together with expert input, tells you all you need to know about the safety concerns of this popular title and offers advice on how to protect children and young people as they enjoy the game.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Horror Films & Age Ratings

Please find the National College guide for ‘What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Horror Films & Age Ratings’ below.

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Many children and young people enjoy exploring new and exciting genres and themes in the films and TV they consume – and as they grow, the maturity of this content will likely increase with them. However, without proper supervision and safeguarding, youngsters looking for a new title to enjoy – especially in the horror genre – might get a little more than they’re ready for.

The emotional and psychological impacts of viewing age-inappropriate content can be severe. It’s vital for parents and educators to know how to keep the children in their care as safe as possible while young people explore new, potentially grittier or darker, pieces of media. This free guide breaks down the risks of viewing age-inappropriate content, with a particular focus on horror, and offers expert advice on how to limit youngsters’ exposure to material that might upset or disturb them. There’s also an accompanying podcast version of this guide, so you can tap into this valuable guidance while you’re on the go.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about In-Game Chat

Please find the National College guide for ‘What Parents & Educators Need to Know about In-Game Chat’ below.

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Online gaming enjoys an apparently ever-increasing level of popularity, and many players are eager to connect with one another as they enjoy a friendly competition or go for the win side by side. Whether it’s to strategise and coordinate, or simply have a chat as you indulge in your hobby, the fact remains that plenty of games now offer means for their players to talk to one another, be that in a text or voice format.

Unfortunately, this functionality – which is used to connect with strangers just as often as it is with friends – poses several risks to younger players, and it’s vital for parents and educators to understand these safety concerns. This free guide offers expert advice on the issues that may arise when using in-game chat, and lets you know how to safeguard the children in your care as they make use of this technology. We’ve also produced a version of this guide in podcast format, so you can access the same superb support while you’re on the go.

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Instagram

Please find the National College guide for ‘What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Instagram’ below.

Download: What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Instagram [PDF]

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Instagram is one of the most well-known social media platforms around, frequented by users of all ages all over the world, and allowing them to share photos and videos with friends, family and the wider public if they wish. The site has many younger users, allowing people as young as 13 to create an account and engage with its community.

As a popular choice of platform for teenagers, it’s vital that parents and educators understand the risks associated with the site and what can be done to mitigate them. This free guide lets you know about the most prominent safety concerns on Instagram, offering expert advice on how to make young people’s experiences on the app as secure as possible. So you can absorb this invaluable information while you’re on the go, we’ve also created an accompanying version of this guide in a podcast format.