In today's digital age, the internet is an integral part of our children's lives. While it offers numerous educational and entertainment opportunities, it also presents risks, particularly in the form of online scams.

The theme for Safer Internet Day on 11th February is 'Protecting yourself and others from scams online.'

This week as part of Safer Internet Day the Y3 children (as well as all children in school) had an assembly and completed a few activities in class help keep them safe online. Y3 will also have an ICT lesson on Thursday related to safety online.

 

Here are some of the slides and scenarios we discussed as a class:

 

 

 

There are some tips below for parents below and you can find out more here: Tips for Parents and Carers - UK Safer Internet Centre

Top Tips for use Tips for Parents and Carers of 3-7 year olds

This Safer Internet Day we are starting a conversation about how to spot, respond to, and report all types of scams online. Scams can take many forms and could target anyone, including young people. Whilst your 3-7 year old may not yet be ready to use the internet independently, use our top tips to start good online habits now that will help keep them safe in the future.

Enjoy going online together

Spending time online together with family is an important learning experience for the youngest internet users. Not only will you both enjoy the quality time together, but you can supervise their usage and guide them to make the safest choices.

Talk about their online experiences

Help give your child the language to explain what they’re experiencing online by starting conversations about the internet and technology as early as possible. Talking regularly about what they love doing online, as well as any worries they may have , will help establish this habit and mean they’re more likely to come to you for help as they get older.

Make use of settings, especially relating to online purchases

Parental controls and other safety settings can help protect your child from online harms, including scams. To avoid any nasty surprises on your bank statement, make sure in-app purchases or new downloads require a passcode, and don’t set card details to autofill on devices your child has access to.

Explain that not everything online is true

If your child is too young to understand what fraud is, you can still lay the groundwork to help them stay safe online as they grow. Start simple and talk about the difference between real and make believe. Help them recognise that not everything online is true and that some things they see or hear could be stories, jokes or tricks.

Make sure they know they can always come to you

The most important thing for your child to know is that you are always there to support them, online and offline. Encourage them to talk to you if anything they experience makes them feel worried or upset, and show them they can trust you to stay calm, listen and help make things better.

Top Tips 7-11 year olds

Use these tips to help you stay safe from scams online and enjoy your time learning, playing and chatting with others.

Look for signs that something online cannot be trusted

Ever seen something online that seems too good to be true? This probably means it can’t be trusted. If someone messages you out of the blue, or is asking for money or personal information, they may be trying to scam you.
Look out for these warning signs and ask a trusted adult if you think you’ve spotted a scam online.

Use a secure password

Your password is like the key to your front door, you shouldn’t share it with other people.  Make sure to use a password that is hard to guess. It shouldn’t contain any personal information and is best when it’s a mixture of letters, numbers and symbols.
Combining random words can help make more memorable passwords if you’re worried about forgetting it!

Think carefully about when and where you share your personal information

Personal information is all the details that could help someone work out who you are and includes your name, address, school, passwords and more. Sometimes you have to share your personal information, like when you’re setting up a new online account, but some people will also try to steal these details.
Never share your personal information with other players or users online, and don’t enter your details on websites or forms without speaking to a trusted adult first.

Not everyone online can be trusted, including in games

You may enjoy playing games online with other people, but remember that not everyone you chat with can be trusted. If you only know someone from the internet, make sure your chat stays on safe topics, like the game you’re playing together. If someone asks you to chat with them privately or on a different app, be careful as this could be a sign they’re trying to trick you.
If a player offers you an amazing trade, but won’t use the trade tool in the game, they may be trying to steal from you. Only trade in games using the official trading tools.

Ask for help, including if you want to make an online purchase

Being targeted by a scam is never your fault and it’s always okay to ask for help. Speak to trusted adults like your parents, grandparents, teachers, or club leaders if something goes wrong online or if you see something that you’re not sure about.
Remember, if you want to buy something online, you should always ask first to make sure you have permission and the money to do so!

 

Understanding Online Scams

Online scams come in various forms, including phishing emails, fake websites, and fraudulent social media messages. Scammers often target children because they may be less aware of the dangers and more likely to share personal information.

Tips for Parents

1. Educate Your Children: Teach your children about the different types of online scams and how to recognize them. Explain the importance of not sharing personal information, such as their full name, address, or school details, with strangers online.
2. Set Up Parental Controls: Use parental control software to monitor and restrict your children's internet usage. This can help prevent them from accessing harmful websites and falling victim to scams.
3. Encourage Open Communication: Make sure your children feel comfortable coming to you with any concerns about their online experiences. Encourage them to talk to you if they encounter anything suspicious or uncomfortable.
4. Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated on the latest online scams and safety tips. Websites like the UK Safer Internet Centre provide valuable resources and information.
5. Lead by Example: Practice good internet safety habits yourself. Show your children how to use the internet responsibly and safely.

Conclusion

By staying informed and proactive, you can help ensure your children have a safe and positive online experience. Remember, the key to internet safety is education and open communication. Let's work together to protect our children from online scams and other digital dangers.

Call to Action

For more information on internet safety and resources for parents, visit the UK Safer Internet Centre.