While cybersecurity protects devices and networks from harm by third parties, Online Safety protects the people using them from harm by the devices and networks (and therefore third parties) through awareness, education, information and technology.
Online Safety is being aware of the nature of the possible threats that you could encounter whilst engaging in activity through the Internet, these could be security threats, protecting and managing your personal data, online reputation management, and avoiding harmful or illegal content.
It isn’t about scaremongering, it isn’t about criticism and chaos, it’s about focusing on the positive and enriching side of digital life whilst recognising its challenges and how to best approach them.
Managing Online Risk
The number of people being connected to the internet keeps growing daily (about 900,000 people per day since 2018! with 5.3 billion users in total), as does the need to recognise the challenges facing children – and indeed all of us – in the online space.
By practicing Online Safety, we can prevent and mitigate the risks that are inherently involved with using digital technologies, platforms and services.
Once the risks are managed, the internet can be enjoyed free from harm and to enormous benefit.
The South West Grid for Learning (SWGFL) are national leaders in the area of E-Safety and we are proud to be associated with them. They have a variety of resources available to support schools and carers in the area of E-Safety.
Online spaces, games and media form a large part of life for young people growing up today. It offers a platform to connect with others, connect with others and to learn. If you understand the situations they encounter you’ll be better placed to offer them advice on how to deal with them. The links below will take you to some of their resources produced specifically for parents.
Some are concerned with specific apps and their settings, others are of a much more general nature. A good place to start would be the online safety guidance for parents.