The Webwise “Parents Guide to A Better Internet” [pdf], launched in conjunction with the recent Safer Internet Day, is a 20-page guide with tips for parents and children as well as additional tips for young children. It covers screen time advice, when your child should get started with social media, social networking tips, managing an online reputation, cyberbullying and what to do if their child is being bullied online, encountering pornography, sexting and where to get more information.
Webwise is an internet safety awareness initiative of Ireland’s Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) Technology in Education that promotes safer use of the internet and mobile phones for school children, parents and teachers which has developed a number of resources and tools with this in mind.
In addition to the new advice guide for parents, Webwise has a number of other resources such as a new online hub for parents with advice from experts on issues such as “talking to your child about pornography”, “dealing with conflict around technology use in the home” and “how can parents model good behaviour online”. There’s also the latest news such as new laws introduced in March relating to the sexual exploitation and abuse of children including online and how to report illegal content found online.
Check out the Webwise website to learn more about online safety for kids at:
www.webwise.ie