Online Safety – DCDhub

Online Bullying

Save the evidence

Save the bullying if possible for evidence. This could include saving text messages or keeping a record of what’s been happening online. If the bullying is happening online but you can’t save it due to the system that’s been used you can use something called ‘print screen’ or ‘screen capture’ to copy information into a document and save that separately as evidence. If you’re not sure how to do this you can search for instructions online.

Use Reporting Facilities

Many social networks allow users to ‘report abuse’ and ‘block’ users. As a parent, guardian or carer you may want to encourage your child to find out (if they don’t already know) how they can report someone online so that they feel confident to do it if they need to. It’s also important for children to understand the need to report people for cyber bullying before they ‘block them’ so that action can be taken.

Use Reporting Facilities

Keep talking

Any form of bullying can make a child feel alone. Cyber bullying can happen day and night, on school days and weekends. This can be not only upsetting but really tiring. Keep talking with your child to reassure them and let them know that they are not to blame.

When to contact the police

If you think that the level of bullying is serious and that your child is at risk of harm telephone Devon and Cornwall Police on 101 and ask to speak with your local Police Community Support Officer or Youth Intervention Officer. In an emergency always telephone 999.
Like the offline environment there are laws in the UK that apply online. Although each case is different, cyber bullies shouldn’t be surprised to receive a visit from the police if what they have been doing has resulted in a criminal offence. You can find out more about the law at GOV.UK.

Gaming online

How old?

The PEGI system gives age ratings to products to help adults decide if a game is suitable for their child. As well as age ratings, products feature ‘descriptors’ which show why a product has received a certain age rating. For example this might be because it contains violence (including sexual violence), discrimination, depictions of alcohol and drugs, or bad language.

Online gaming things to talk about

If you don’t play online games yourself, it can be more difficult to talk about gaming with children, but here are some things you can ask them like:

What type of games do you like most? (for example Action, Fantasy, Adventure, Fighting, Racing etc).
Can you choose the type of character you play in the game?
What are the characters like?
What types of things can you do in the game?
What types of people can you meet in the game?
What types of things do people like to talk about?
If someone is being a bully or making you feel uncomfortable, how can you report them in the game?
Can I have a game with you? (Having a go on the game is a pretty good way to learn, you might have fun but you should probably expect to lose!).

Things to consider when playing online…

Does this game/device have parental controls?

What type of content are they viewing?

Who are they interacting with, adults or children?

Do they understand the risks of sharing personal information online?

Do they know what to do if they are being bullied by another player?

Do they know what to do if they find something that makes feel uncomfortable?

Social Media

Stay secure

Use the tools available to keep your family and your devices safer
Set up parental controls. Some systems have them built in and are free, others you can pay for. You may want to look at several options and decide what’s best for your family.
Keep your technology (including phones) up to date with security software.
Use strong passwords that include letters, numbers and symbols and use different passwords for different accounts.
If you’re using social networks, check out the privacy settings and make sure they are activated.
Report online abuse.

Be cautious

Read the terms and conditions for social networks. There might be a lot there to read but you could be agreeing to hand over control of your online content if you don’t.
Never share personal information like phone numbers or email addresses online.
Be cautious about the type of information you might be sharing with people you only know online.
Be careful about the types of images you post and share as once they are out there you’ve pretty much lost control of that content.
Use webcams carefully. If you’re talking with people you know and trust offline you may be confident, but remember that webcam ‘conversations’ can always be recorded.

Separate online and offline

Use privacy settings – they’re there to protect you not restrict you. A guide to setting your privacy settings has been published by ParentInfo
Some websites ask you to use your real name but you may be able to choose a username too. Use a nickname if you can.
Avoid using a picture of yourself for your profile – use a picture of something you like instead.
Don’t include personal details in your profile, like your phone number, your email address or home address.