Children and the Internet

I'm not even middle-aged, but I went to school before the internet as we know it, existed. This statement in itself shows how the interactive world has changed completely in the last twenty years. Teachers and parents used to warn us about strangers in the park and lecture us about bullying in the playground and after school. Children today still have these warnings and messages drilled into them, and a child who wouldn't dream of divulging personal information to an adult he has only just met, may not think twice about chatting to all sorts of people online. Similarly a parent may be blissfully unaware that their child is, alone and in her room, making another child's life a misery through cyber-bullying or vicious text messages. Any person who is embarking on a career with children and vulnerable young people needs to be aware of the virtual worlds most children inhabit, in and outside of the classroom.

Web2 has revolutionised the way we communicate. It has also changed the way we learn, and process new knowledge. Children can keep in touch with friends and family all over the world, classrooms in London can interact with classrooms in Lagos. Pupils can access and submit their homework online and in a format that may look to the average adult, more like a computer game than boring old study! There is no denying the fact that children love the internet and what it has to offer them; and why not? Increasing fears over safety have kept many of today's youngsters reclusive in their rooms after school; the internet has come to represent for many, a way to play with others and engage socially. 

Unfortunately, predatory adults and playground bullies have also taken just as easily to the internet as the children who use it to communicate and do their homework. Terminology such as "online-grooming" and "cyber-bullying" have recently entered our vocabulary. A child may appear physically safe but could be subject to sexual exploitation or vicious harassment while sitting in his or her room. 

It may be difficult as a teacher, to police what children do online at home. However the school must promote e-safety and insure that what they do in school is safe. Schools can set up secure networks, accessible only by pupils and teachers and to some extent parents. Children also need to be educated as part of their PSHE about the potential dangers online. Teachers also need to be aware of the way some children might themselves be using the internet for unsavoury purposes such as bullying or accessing content that is unsuitable for them and making it available to others. Violent video-clips are an example of this. Some schools even have set up initiatives across entire boroughs or counties to promote safe use of the internet here is an example of what is going on in Kent:

http://www.kenttrustweb.org.uk/Children/safeguards_esafety.cfm


While the above link is aimed at adults working in the sector, nationwide bodies such as CEOP have introduced colourful and fun campaigns for children. The video clip below tells children how to conduct themselves safely online and empowers young children in their virtual world. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unIo2QVfO0w&feature=player_embedded

Finally, we as adults have to be responsible for our own online presence too. We know how curious children are about us and how easy it is for them to find things like our Twitter feeds or Facebook profiles. What sort of behaviour are we modelling for our students on these pages?