The Importance of Staying Diligent About Online Safety at This Time of Year

Awareness

A big part of what we see at BulliesOut is that people lack awareness about some of the key issues when it comes to online safety, and although they aren’t acting out of malice or ignorance – just a lack of awareness, it could have repercussions! A key example of this would be that many people may not know and / or forget about the preferences of both parents and children when it comes to things like photographs and social media posts – especially when taking photos and videos of nativity concerts and christmas parties. Remember, you may never know whether there could be religious, cultural, safeguarding or general preferences that need to be considered and respected. It’s best practice to not post images of other peoples children (or anyone really) without their consent, and if you have, we would recommend to obtain this consent or remove the posts / photos concerned.

The increased online activity during this time of year means that we need to focus on potential online dangers. Parents and guardians should look to educate themselves and their children with an understanding of the hazards associated with the online world. A good place to start can be with our website section for parents but also more in-depth pieces of content such as “Everything you need to know before giving or receiving new technology this Christmas”

Everything in this blog will discuss being aware of other people and the potential dangers when we do not have that awareness.

Kindness & Respect

As we all know, this time of year is usually a big time to promote kindness.

Here are some of our key tips for showing kindness online at Christmas:

1. If you follow an organisation/group etc, don’t stay there just to post nasty, negative comments – unfollow and join something that interests you.
2. Check in on your friends and neighbours. It costs nothing to ask, and a little bit of kindness can go a long way when we are feeling alone.
3. If you don’t like someone’s status – move on, hide or delete it.
4. Consider giving the gift of a charity donation this year.
5. Share a positive story or favourite picture as this can be a powerful form of digital kindness.
6. If someone posts a topical comment and you have a different opinion, disagree respectfully – not in a negative, nasty way.

Acts of kindness, especially those you can undertake online, are so important when it comes to creating a positive and respectful digital environment. Reminding individuals, especially young people, of the far-reaching impact of their words and actions is crucial.

Our ’Be Kind Online’ page is a fantastic place to start for year round tips about online kindness.

Respect is another key attribute for creating healthy online interactions Online Bullying often traces back to a fundamental lack of respect for the feelings and boundaries of others. This also goes back to our previous point about being aware and respectful of people’s religious, cultural, safeguarding or preferential needs.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding young people online during the festive period is crucial, as this time of year often sees an increase in online activities.  3 big concerns we see here at BulliesOut are:

1. More opportunities for potential safeguarding issues: Teach young people about online risks such as online bullying, online predators, and scams. Make sure they understand the potential consequences of sharing personal information.
2. New tech = With technology gifts high on wish lists, it is important to ensure children and young people can navigate the internet safely. Take an active interest in your child’s online life and engage in the digital world with them. Let your child teach you about their online world and how they use technology; playing new games and exploring websites together can often open opportunities to discuss safe and respectful behaviour online.
3. Increased time spent online = We always see a big spike in time spent online over any break but especially at Christmas due to people buying new tech for loved ones. Establish clear rules regarding screen time and online activities. Balance is essential to prevent excessive exposure. Remember to role-model positive behaviour online.

Conclusion

In summary, we’d like to increase attention to the often-overlooked realm of online safety during the festive season. It stresses the importance of being aware, urging us to understand key issues, especially concerning preferences around photos and social media posts. The call to educate both parents and children about potential online hazards becomes a central theme. The significance of kindness and respect in nurturing a positive digital space is highlighted, accompanied by friendly tips for online interactions. Safeguarding concerns are gently woven in, emphasising the need for heightened awareness, especially for young people, in dealing with potential online bullying and privacy/security issues. Here are some final tips:

1. Communication:Maintain open communication with young people. Encourage them to share their online experiences, both positive and negative. Remind them that they can talk to you if they come across anything that makes them uncomfortable.
2. Set Boundaries:Establish clear rules regarding screen time and online activities. Balance is essential to prevent excessive exposure. Discuss appropriate content and behavior online, emphasising the importance of respectful communication.
3. Privacy Settings:Regularly review and adjust privacy settings on social media accounts and other online platforms. Ensure that only trusted individuals have access to personal information.
4. Educate About Risks:Teach young people about online risks such as online bullying, online predators, and scams. Make sure they understand the potential consequences of sharing personal information.
5. Supervision:For younger children, consider actively supervising their online activities. This doesn’t mean invading their privacy but ensuring they are using the internet in appropriate ways.
6. Install Parental Controls:Use parental control tools to filter content and restrict access to certain websites or applications. This can help create a safer online environment.
7. Cybersecurity Awareness:Educate young people about the importance of strong, unique passwords and the risks associated with sharing login credentials.
8. Be Aware of Online Activities:Familiarise yourself with the platforms and apps young people are using. This will help you understand potential risks and address concerns more effectively.
9. Report and Block:Teach young people how to report inappropriate behavior or content online and how to block users if necessary.
10. Promote Positive Online Behavior:Encourage kindness, empathy, respectful and responsible behavior online. Discuss the impact of their words and actions on others.
11. Stay Informed:Stay updated on the latest online trends, apps, and platforms. This knowledge will help you guide and support young people effectively..

By staying actively involved and fostering open communication, you can help ensure that young people have a safe and enjoyable online experience during the festive period and throughout the year.