Online Safety for Schools – Colleges

‘A Schools Responsibility – A Whole School Approach’

Online Safety is about Behaviour, it is The Informed Use of Devices, Sites, Apps & Gaming  & Online Behaviour that makes for a Safe  Online Environment.

Teaching Online Safety in Schools 2020- 2021

Online Safety within Safeguarding is now certainly very much ‘stand-alone’ and requires specific training / workshops for the Whole School, staff, pupils & parents, supplied by qualified, experienced and competent experts who continue to research the area of Online Safety and Online behaviour.

Online Safety is also of paramount importance, irrespective of country, as all children, teenagers and young adults use devices, social media / apps / gaming, which can have a massive impact on their future goals and targets (ie CyberVetting for Employment & Universities).  

Online Safety is about behaviour and understanding the difference between appropriate and inappropriate online behaviour, to avoid becoming an intended or unintended victim of online exploitation (Bullying / Grooming / Radicalisation / Reputational Damage / Hacking / Data Abuse / Webcam Compromise / Cyber Vetting Issues). Without a doubt, many of your students have social media / gaming accounts and now enjoy many hours of screen time, however not all screen time will be an issue and possibly be unsafe – it is all about behaviour and what is Appropriate as opposed to Inappropriate / Unacceptable / Illegal behaviour .

Many teachers also use social media both for personal and professional use, and for the most part, that is completely safe. From a professional standpoint it can enhance your network of contacts, engage you in important discussions, extend your own learning and even provide a platform for class projects. As for personal use, well, teachers have lives, families, friends, and interests just like everyone else, so naturally, many are drawn to social media to connect to and interact with the people they care about.

COVID-19 has meant that virtual learning and working from home has become the ‘norm’, the reliance on the internet has never been greater. This also means that for the first-time students are encouraged to use their devices far more, which for many will mean a rise in Social Media usage, Gaming usage and a substantial increase in screen time. This increased usage will mean far more cases of Online Bullying, Stranger interaction and the possibility of Grooming, therefore Online Safety advice has never been more vital and important.

Besafe Online UK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb6F0bA_N2A&t=7s  Having worked extensively in International Schools in Europe, Middle East and Far East Asia and I have a deep knowledge of the technological context in which international schools work and therefore have a unique insight into international schools specific context and always tailor my approach accordingly (no other Online safety supplier provides such expertise in this bespoke setting). I always focus on the practical application of Online safety & Social Media Training that is up to date, current & relevant; and explore the wide range of Online Behaviour and most current ‘Online Safety message’, not simply standard, ad-hoc ‘Online Safety’ Advise – ‘Explaining Why Online Exploitation can occur is As Important as How’

Besafe Online (www.besafe-online.co.uk ) Jonathan Taylor MSc (Criminal Psychology)

 JONATHAN TAYLOR worked within Law Enforcement 30 years, for 10 years Jonathan specialized in covert online internet investigations gaining a wealth of knowledge in online offender behaviour. Graduating with an MSc in Criminology / Criminal Psychology, Jonathan now specialises in Online Sex Offender Behaviour and he continues to research into how Social Media is used by children, young adults and online sex offenders.

Jonathan frequently appears on Sky News, The One Show, BBC Breakfast TV, LBC, and Radio 5 Live as an Online Safety & Social Media Consultant and has recently filmed Documentaries for Channel 4 & CBS on the dangers of Online Paedophiles.

He currently works as an Independent Online Safety & Social Media Consultant, specialising in Online Safety, Social Media Awareness, and offender online methodology. Jonathan is a renowned Online Safety & Social media Awareness Trainer for all Schools, nationally and internationally, and continues to work as Online Safety and Social Media Consultant for the following organisations.

NORD ANGLIA EDUCATION (International Schools)                                                                            EDUCARE (Creator of Online Child Safeguarding Online Safety Course 2014-2018)                              ERA (Academy of Enropean Law) Trier Germany                                                                                BSME (British Schools in Middle East)                                                                                                     SANTUARY (Training for Foster Carers & Social Worksers)                                                          WT-ASSOCIATES (Child Safeguarding Consultancy)                                                                   FOBISIA (Federation of British International Schools in Asia)                                                 CHRYSALIS FOSTER CARE (Training for Foster Carers & Social Services)                        CAN Training (Training for Foster Carers & Social Services)                                              HEATHFARM FOSTERING (Training for Foster Carers & Social Services)

Contact Details; Jonathan Taylor MSc

   besafeonline@ymail.com

@Besafe_Online

 +44 (0)7877 943082

     www.besafe-online.co.uk  

I recently had the pleasure of speaking and meeting with Douglas Lloyd the CEO of Azoomee and Tom Naylor the Marketing Manager of Azoomee.

Now, it is not often that I put my name to or endorse online safety products, but certainly I am always being asked by many parents what ‘software’ would I recommend. Over the past 8 years I have been asked to look at, try and examine online safety software many times, and certainly Azoomee is the first online product I would happily support and recommend.

Whilst there really isn’t one piece of software that will keep children, and young adults 100 % safe of the time, what is certainly correct is that Azoomee goes a long way to towards achieving a safe environment for young users to begin to learn about appropriate online behaviour.

Online Safety is predominantly about behaviour, if someone behaves inappropriately then they run the risk of elevating online risk to online danger and then possible online exploitation, therefore learning appropriate, correct and acceptable behaviour is key, and this is exactly what Azoomee achieves.

Social Media, Gaming & Direct Messaging Closed Groups are where most children and young people message and interact with others, whether it is Snapchat (13+), Tik Tok (13+), Roblox (17+), Fortnite (12+), Fifa19 (3+) or Clash Royale (13+), and it is within these closed groups that inappropriate images, language or online grooming can occur, as it is very easy for online strangers (offenders) to access and engage with innocent users. Whilst these games and social media Sites & Apps may have age restrictions these are ignored and children install these games due to want, desire and peer pressure. This means these young users will be learning and beginning their online life in an environment where it is possible for online strangers to access and engage with them and others to bully and hurt them. Games, videos and safe instant messaging on the Azoomee app.

What is required is an online area where children can play online games, message and interact their ‘contacts and opponents’, in a completely safe and monitored environment. I believe Azoomee has created an online area, that is safe, enjoyable, educational for children, and can also be an area for vulnerable young adults and vulnerable adults with special educational needs.

So, what does Azoomee do to create this safe environment:

1. Parents create the online community / area / group with known friends or family members which means that the young users are unable to invite anyone else in, taking away the possibility of access by unknown users/gamers.

2. All the other users/gamers will be friends and family and not strangers as all connections are approved by parents/guardians/carers

3. The interaction and messaging can be monitored and moderated by parents to prevent unnecessary or inappropriate language and the users cannot leave without parental permission

4. Whilst the software and interaction requires the internet, the information is not stored on a server that is shared with the world wide web.

5. Every game, video and activity on Azoomee is personally selected by Azoomee’s team of experts (former school teachers). This means you can trust that it’s all ageappropriate and that it helps children to learn 21st Century skills like creativity, problem solving and digital literacy, while they’re having fun in an environment design just for them.

A bit more about Azoomee

Safety is at the heart of everything at Azoomee – it is partnered with the NSPCC & endorsed by me. Azoomee has created safe place for your children:

• All content is personally curated by Azoomee and their team of former teachers and children’s media experts to be fun and educational

• Using the Restricted Profiles on some Android devices or Guided Access on iOS means children (users) can’t leave Azoomee without their parent’s permission

• Kids (users) are NEVER shown any ads

• Parents approve all connections in Azoomee Chat and all parental settings are protected by a PIN

• Safety in games & interaction is paramount but Azoomee also teaches children (users) how to make smart, safe and kind choices online.

For more information please contact me via http://www.besafe-online.co.uk/

Online Safety is Predominantly about Behaving Appropriately
But Technology can Assist

1. Get Involved – Use same Apps / Social Media / Games -Talk   
2. Adhere to Age Restrictions ……if & where possible……  
3. Check Contacts & Friends & Opponents
4. Be part of Closed Groups (Clash Royale / WhatsApp / Fifa19 / Discord
5. Cover Up Webcam when not Using
6. Don’t use File Sharing Streaming of Videos (eg Putlocker)
7. Use Social Media Positively – Twitter / LinkedIn / Blogging + WebSites
8. Speak to Schools about Policies & Awareness THIS IS TEAMWORK
9. Use Family Sharing (Ipads / Iphone) Family Link (Android) (Settings)
10. Switch off Sync on Android Phones / Tablets (Settings)
11. Use Location Settings (GPS) only when required
12. Switch Off Location Settings on Childs/Young Adults Phones (Settings)
13. Test App games by switching off WiFi & Mobile Data (Settings)
14. Restrict Device WiFi Access via Modem
15. Use filters to restrict access (Parental Controls & Software)

Azoomee Software – Allows Parents to Teach & Monitor Chat  https://shop.azoomee.com/discount/BESAFEONLINE

http://azoomee.com/ 

Parents to Children;

Don’t Share Personal Information – ‘Keep Your Secrets – SECRET’

  Be Kind Online – ‘As you would be in school’

   Selfies/Pictures – The Impact – ‘Ask Permission’

      Don’t Ignore Age Restrictions (Games Apps Social Media)

Remember Understand the Risks, to Restrict Escalation to Online Danger by Preventing Deliberate or Accidental Inappropriate Behaviour

Sexting,
Sexy Selfie or
Inappropriate Self Generated Images

What Must be Understood to Prevent Criminalisation of Children & Young Adults

Sexting among teens is, unfortunately, pretty common. Many parents are shocked to hear how casually teens discuss how prevalent it is. And, while experts differ on statistics, as long ago as 2009 a study confirmed ‘sexting’ is a teen reality that’s here to stay, how right they were. Interestingly though research and ‘experts’ continue to supply statistical issues relating to the sending and receiving of sexy self generated images as if it has suddenly become an epidemic. Why do children or young adults take such images? To show off, to entice someone, to show interest in someone, or to prove commitment. Perhaps even as a joke. Teens’ developing interest in sex, an impulse to experiment, and apps that make sexting easy — and acceptable — create an environment that some teens find irresistible.

Sending these pictures or messages is problematic enough, but the real challenge comes when this content is shared broadly. As far too many teens have found out, the recipient of these messages is in possession of a highly compromising image or message that can be easily posted on a social networking site or sent to others via direct messaging.

In a technological world where anything can be copied, sent, posted, and seen by huge audiences, there’s no such thing as being able to control information. The intention doesn’t matter — even if a photo was taken and sent as a token of love, for example, the technology makes it possible for everyone to see your child’s most intimate self. In the hands of teens, when revealing photos are made public, the ‘sender’ almost always ends up feeling humiliated.  Furthermore, sending sexual images to minors is against the law, and some children have been prosecuted for the making and/or distribution of Indecent Images of Children. So whilst the image may have been sent in complete innocence the child may find themselves charged or cautioned for a criminal offence. This charge or caution will result in a period spent on the Sex Offenders Register (SOR). The SOR is a register containing the details of individuals convicted, cautioned or released from prison for a sexual offence against children or adults since 1997, (and initially was believed to be for adults and was not created for registering children Under 18).

Lets Define ‘Sexting’ Correctly

In 2012, whilst speaking to students from years 9 & 10 at an all girls school, a student stated that she did not take part in ‘sexting’, but did receive and send ‘Sexy Selfies’. Initially I felt this was an act of defiance, then I realised this exactly highlighted the issue. Most teens that do get involved in taking, sending and receiving sexy selfies do not see it as ‘sexting’. If a parent or a teacher tries to speak to a teen about ‘sexting’ the initial response will be ‘#awks’ (awkward). However whilst this synonymisation is understandable and may legitimise the action to the teen involved in sexting, the issue becomes one of definition which highlights the legal dangers;

Sexting: Sexting is sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs or images,
Indecent Image of a Child: An Indecent Image of a Child is not defined by law, the decision of whether an image is indecent is left to the police, CPS and the jury.

Whilst no legal definition exists for an Indecent Image of a Child, the image itself will have to be or contain elements of sexually explicit imagery (as with a Sext), so the correct synonymisation with Sexy Selfie should or could be Indecent Image of a Child.. This is why Under 18’s have been placed on the Sex Offenders Registered for a minimum of 1 year as a result of being charged or cautioned. The offence of making and distributing an indecent image of a child was generated prior to the current technological era (and before some were born). This offence was always intended for an adult who created and distributed images of a child, not for peer on peer images. Therefore the line between whether a child is a victim or an offender is a completely distorted one.
This is a real case of using a ‘sledgehammer to crack open a nut’, resulting in the complete unnecessary Criminalisation of a Child and completely destroying their reputation and preventing goals and plans for future education and employment.

Legal Issue – Criminalisation of Children

Certainly with a number of Under 18 year old teens being placed on the sex offender register as a result of being charged or cautioned for the making and/or distribution of Indecent Images of Children legislation has been created to attempt to prevent the Criminalisation of teenagers.
Current Legislation

The Obscene Publications Act 1959, Section 8 & 9 sexual Offences Act 2003, Section 127 Communications Act 2003, all make it a criminal offence for anyone of any age to commit a relevant offence of creating/ sending sexual messaging including imagery. So new legislation has been created in the form of Section 67 Serious Crime Act 2015 which specifically states that the offence can only be committed by someone over 18. However closer examination proves this new legislation to be problematic.

On closer examination not only does an offender have to be over 18, but sexual intention has to be proved (never easy). Furthermore the victim has to under 16, so this adds confusion as this means that 17 year olds can send to each other under this legislation but still commit offences under the older legislation !. No power of arrest exists for this specific offence and the logistical & financial cost for investigating these offences (interviews, forensic examinations of devices etc) suggests that this legislation will not ever be used. This new legislation is not straightforward and I do not see it as preventing the criminalisation of children.

Outcome 21

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), which is working in partnership with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and the UK Council for Child Internet Safety issued guidance in response to the increase in the number of sexting offences and concern among schools that children are not “over-criminalised”. Outcome 21 offers Guidance to police forces in England and Wales covering the basis for mounting an investigation into alleged sexting offences and allows discretion to take no further action in certain cases.
Every crime reported to the police must have an outcome code. The NPCC, Home Office and the DBS have agreed a new outcome code for youth-produced sexual imagery. Outcome 21: This outcome code allows the police discretion not to take further action if it is not in the public interest, even though there is enough evidence to prosecute.
Using this outcome code is likely to mean the offence would not appear on a future Enhanced DBS check, although not impossible, as that disclosure is a risk-based decision.
So whilst Outcome 21 will hopefully mean ‘no further action’ no ‘criminalisation’ it can have an impact on the childs future, should they require a DBS Enhanced Disclosure for future gap year or full time employment.

Conclusion

If a child or teenager gets involved in Sexting (which is highly likely), the response should always be guided by the ‘principle of proportionality’ this must include taking into consideration the amount of images taken and sent. The primary concern at all times should be the welfare and protection of the young people involved. Therefore I believe we should not be criminalising our young people and if Police consider no further action then at no stage should the report feature on any further DBS enhanced disclosure.
Whilst this action will prevent unnecessary Legal Consequences, it will not prevent ‘Non legal psychological Consequences’ which is why education and dialogue is the ‘way forward’. The first part of stopping this epidemic of sexting is to know what the problem is, which is behaviour and understanding. Whilst there has been a call for compulsory sex and relationship education (SRE) for schools, there should also be compulsory Online Safety and Social media Workshops. These workshops must be carried out by experts who have dealt with victims, offenders, have worked with the law and continue to research online behaviour and its impact as a result of ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
We will never police our way out of this problem but we can inform, advice, and educate young people on the consequences of taking ‘Sexy Selfies’.

Jonathan Taylor MSc
Online Safety & Social Media Consultant

besafeonline@ymail.com

Online Safety & Social Media Issues
&
The Online ‘Challenges’ That Seek Online Validation
& Online Badge of Honour

Having worked extensively in UK Schools, International Schools in Europe, Middle East and Far East Asia and I have a deep knowledge of the technological context in which international schools work and therefore have a unique insight into international schools specific context and always tailor my approach accordingly (no other Online safety supplier provides such expertise in this bespoke setting). Being a qualified and experienced trainer I always focus on the practical application of Online safety & Social Media Training that is up to date, current, relevant and specific. This allows for the exploration of the wide range of Online Behaviour and gives delegates the most current ‘Online Safety message’, not simply standard, ad-hoc ‘E Safety’ Advise.

Whilst I spend my time speaking to students, parents, teachers and child safeguarding professionals on Online Safety, specifically highlighting how children and young adults behave online, and how this can result in online exploitation, online Challenges and online validation is also an area to be aware of. Online validation invariably involves online broadcasting using social media eg You Tube, Instagram, Facebook, Periscope and Badoo (there are others). Therefore parents, carers, professionals and students should be informed in advance about the purpose and audience of any broadcast.
Challenges;

Online Challenges are not new, and more and more we see individuals creating online challenges, filming themselves completing them and then ‘challenging’ others (sometimes online contacts or friends). These challenges can be to pour salt in their hands and hold ice until it burns, dousing themselves in rubbing alcohol and set themselves on fire or biting into colourful liquid laundry detergent packets. The fact that these completed challenges are filmed and posted adds to the fact that these challenges are designed to reinforce Online Validation, and perhaps would not be as possible if they were not filmed and posted.
Remember: All these Challenges are Filmed and uploaded / posted to social media on Mobile Phones, usually You Tube, Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook. As many videos exist, this can reinforce the motivation and validation for attempting and completing the challenge.

The Blue Whale Challenge is a social media challenge that encourages children, teenagers & other users to perform specific tasks, over the course of 50 days, that are assigned to them by an anonymous “group administrator.” Some people say that the Blue Whale Challenge might be an urban legend but many parents and educators are concerned about this social media challenge that is gaining attention online. Many of the tasks include acts of self-harm, like urging players to cut themselves in the shape of a whale. Players join the Blue Whale Challenge by posting certain hashtags or joining specific groups on social media, in the hopes of getting selected by a “group administrator”. Targeted at 10-14 year olds, players are required to send photo evidence to their “group administrator” to prove that they have completed each specific task. The challenge as a whole is meant to harm students and slowly gets them to trust the game. The Blue Whale Challenge creates new opportunities for predators to target victims on social media. Players of the challenge can’t stop playing once they’ve started; they are blackmailed and cyber bullied into completing the “game”. “Group administrators” are typically adults and older teens.

The Condom Snorting Challenge is not unlike other dangerous dares that have swept social media, teenagers have been doing it – for years now. The challenge involves uncoiling a condom and stuffing it up one side of your nose, then plugging the other nostril and inhaling until the long piece of latex slides into your throat. Then what? You reach back and pull it from your mouth. The condom could easily get stuck in your nose or your throat, blocking your breathing or causing you to choke. The challenge is not only to do this once, but how many times can one individual complete this task, and now many in a minute, different challenges different dangers.

Tide Pod Challenge soon became real after circulating on social media – with multiple videos uploaded to YouTube of people participating in the challenge. The uploaded videos instantly get many views and soon became viral. Most videos open by discussing the challenge, stating, “I didn’t think you could eat them but they look so tasty,” before popping the detergent pod into the individuals mouth. Biting down, the pod oozes detergent, and the ‘YouTuber’ will immediately attempt to spit it out. These videos, ‘many hundreds’, are both foolish and disgusting – in addition to dangerous – and doctors are urging people to refrain from attempting the challenge.

The Deodorant Challenge is the latest to worry parents, as kids who take part are seriously injuring themselves. The challenge is a test of endurance and involves spraying deodorant from an aerosol can directly onto a person’s bare skin. The aim is to see who can hold it there the longest. This is a very scary trend, because basically these children are committing chemical burns. Apparently one dermatologist expert announced that the force of the aerosol itself and the temperature change on the skin can potentially cause second- and third-degree burns.

The Momo Challenge is a creepy character has recently taken over the internet called ‘Momo’, which is the new Slenderman to target children. Momo is a viral challenge which encourages kids to add a contact on WhatsApp. The character will then hound them with violent images and dares, the last one being for the child to take their own lives. It really is terrifying stuff. ‘Momo’ is the name of both the doll-like creature, and the viral challenge she features in, which encourages kids to add a contact on WhatsApp who will then hound them with violent images and dares – the last one being for the child to commit suicide. Momo is certainly a mixture of ‘Blue Whale Challenge & Slenderman, in the way it is a ‘creepy’ character that sets challenges that can end with self harm or suicide.

Cyber Banging is the creation of videos on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter by rival gang members, using it to endorse ‘gangs’ and where they come from and to threaten each other. The practice is called “cyber banging,” and it’s often led to fights and even death. Media and social media outlets nationally and internationally have reported this new phenomenon of gang affiliates using social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to trade insults or make violence threats that lead to violence, victimisation, physical assaults, challenges and even murder. The majority of the videos are filmed by gang members who have infiltrated a rivals ‘territory’ recorded themselves challenging and disrespecting the local gang, resulting in physical violence.
………………………………….
Whilst all these challenges are physical not technological without the use of technology (mobile phones / tablets etc), the message or challenge could not be spread, consequently the online validation sought, the online badge of honour received, and the online motivation and justification for behaving this way would not be warranted or ‘go viral’. These challenges all prey on the vulnerable, and whilst it can, and will be argued that some are ‘Fake’, it must be remembered that all can be found via search engine enquiries or searches within social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, Whats App, YouTube etc). Therefore all should be regarded as real and dangerous.
………………………………….
Jonathan Taylor MSc
Online Safety & Social Media Consultant
besafeonline@ymail.com