Advice for Social Media and Mobile Apps
With new Social Networks and Mobile Apps appearing weekly, it can be difficult to keep up with them all. Below you will find guidance on how to stay up-to-date and make informed decisions on which social networks and mobile apps are suitable for your child or young person.
Net Aware
Net aware is your guide to the social networks your kids use. You can use this free service to stay up to date and keep your child safe in today's digital world. Its really simple to use too, just search for the social network or app you're concerned about and it will give you loads of useful info, such as what the app does, suggested age ratings and whether it can contain content unsuitable for your child's age.
ASC Cyber Protect
The Avon and Somerset Constabulary Cyber Team YouTube channel features useful videos regarding online safety and cyber protect advice. Please share, comment and engage with us. Avon and Somerset Constabulary's Cyber Team is here for you...
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Youth Project Coordinator - Communication with Children
A video on how to effectively communicate with children around online safety, by Avon and Somerset Constabulary's Youth Project coordinator - Verity Weston.
Cyber Protect - Online Risk & Safety Measures for Parents
In this video we outline some easy measures you can take as a parent to better understand how to effectively monitor and work with your child around being safe on the internet.
TOPAZ - Child Exploitation & Grooming
This is a presentation on child exploitation and grooming, presented by Androulla Nicolaou, a member of Avon and Somerset Constabulary's TOPAZ Child Exploitation & Prevention Team.
Useful Links
TikTok Controls & Settings Guide for Parents
TikTok features a number of privacy and safety settings to restrict who can contact and comment on your child’s posts and profile. It also features a Digital Wellbeing feature to restrict inappropriate content and help them manage how long they spend on the app.
Snapchat Controls & Settings Guide for Parents
SnapChat features a number of functions to help your child manage who can see their content and how they interact with others. They can also use the reporting function to flag content that breaks community guidelines and upsets them.
Facebook Controls & Settings Guide for Parents
Facebook Privacy Checkup helps your child review who can see their posts and info from their profile, like a phone number and email address. It also shows them their settings for apps they’ve logged into with Facebook.
Instagram Controls & Settings Guide for Parents
Instagram features a number of functions to help your child manage who can see their content and how they interact with others. They can also use the reporting function to flag content that breaks community guidelines and upsets them.
Twitter Controls & Settings Guide for Parents
Twitter privacy and safety features can help protect your child from receiving abusive content and reporting incidence of online bullying or inappropriate content. It also gives them control over who can contact them and what personal data they share.
WhatsApp Controls and Settings Guide for Parents
WhatsApp privacy settings allow you to restrict who can see your child’s messages and location. There are also ways to block delete or report users on the platform.
UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS)
New technologies inspire children to be creative, communicate and learn. However, while the internet is a great resource, it is important that children and young people are protected from the risks they may encounter. The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) is a group of more than 200 organisations drawn from across government, industry, law, academia and charity sectors that work in partnership to help keep children safe online. The Council was established in 2008 following a review by Professor Tanya Byron discussing, and taking action, on topical issues concerning children’s use of the internet.
NSPCC
The 'Keeping Children Safe' section of the NSPCC website has a wealth of information for parents. From Online Safety to Sexting and Share Aware, they have it covered.
UK Safer Internet Centre
UK Safer Internet Centre is a website where you can find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe online.
Commonsense Media
Common Sense is the leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology. Find age-appropriate movies, books, apps, TV shows, video games, websites, and music that you and your kids will love.
ThinkUKnow
Since 2006, Thinkuknow has been keeping children and young people safe by providing education about sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.
Get Safe Online
Get Safe Online is the UK’s leading source of unbiased, factual and easy-to-understand information on online safety.
Childnet
Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working with others to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.
Internet Matters
Internet Matters is a great resource for information on Online Safety, Age-related advice, and setting up parental controls across devices.
ParentZone
Parent Zone is devoted to providing expert information to families and schools. We find, curate and check the best available information on all of the issues that are caused or amplified by the internet.
E-Safety Adviser
A range of free e-safety resources including e-safety policy, newsletters for schools and parents, and questionnaires.
Including #DITTO, a free online safety magazine for schools, organizations and parents to keep you up to date with risks, issues, advice and guidance related to keeping children safe online, with a view to enjoying and learning about technology. A new edition is released approx. every 6 weeks.
Useful Documents
Online Safety Policy March 2021
Last Updated: Apr 30, 2021, 7:53 AM | Filetype: pdf | Size: 674 KBICT and Internet Acceptable Use Policy March 2021
Last Updated: Apr 30, 2021, 7:53 AM | Filetype: pdf | Size: 522 KBSexual Abuse Online Booklet by The Marie Collins Foundation
Last Updated: Apr 30, 2021, 7:52 AM | Filetype: pdf | Size: 3.6 MBDigital Parenting Magazine / Issue 7
Last Updated: Apr 30, 2021, 7:53 AM | Filetype: pdf | Size: 1.9 MB