Monday 30 January 2012

‘Surf Safely’ – Police Support Staying Safe Online

Bedfordshire Police is supporting the international Safer Internet Day (SID) on Tuesday 7 February, 2012 and inviting local parents to learn more about keeping their children safe online at an event hosted by Bedford Girls School.

The theme of ‘Connecting generations and educating each other’ will be delivered by officers from the Local Policing Team from 7pm at the school in Cardington Road, Bedford. Parents, guardians or anyone who works with or cares for young people is welcome to the FREE event. To book a place, please https://jhodgkin.wufoo.com/forms/bedfordshire-police-presentation-on-e-safety/. Spaces are limited and will be issued on a first come first serve basis.

Throughout the day the force’s ten top tips for staying safe online will be sent through our twitter feed.

Richard Denton the Children and Young People Development Officer for Bedfordshire Police said: “The Internet is a fantastic tool and the majority of the time it is a beneficial, fun and educational resource. We are just asking everyone to apply common sense and a few simple safety measures. Think about who you are talking to, the information you share and how you can maintain your privacy. We hope that this event will enhance the work we do all year round to keep young people safe online.”

Pippa Milton, Head of PSHE at Bedford Girls’ School, added: “We strive to equip all of our girls with the means to make informed decisions about their wellbeing and personal safety in every environment, including online.

“This event aims to enhance parents’ and guardians’ understanding and awareness through the expert insight of Bedfordshire Police and we’re delighted to open our doors to the wider community and share knowledge in such an important field.”

To get up to date advice about staying safe online visit http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ If you are concerned about any content or activity on your child's internet and social networking sites then please contact Bedfordshire Police by calling 101

For more information on the event go to http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/safer-internet-day-2012

Follow Bedfordshire Police top 10 Internet safety tips:
  1. Visit http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ to find out more about keeping safe online.
  2. Look at installing security products that allow parents / carers to block certain websites, implement time limits and monitor activity.
  3. Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends they do not know offline.
  4. Explain to your children what information about them is personal: i.e. email address, mobile number, school name, sports club. Small pieces of information can easily be pieced together to form a comprehensive insight in to their lives and daily activities.
  5. Make your children aware that they need to think carefully about the information and pictures they post on their profiles. Inform them that once published online, anyone can change or share these images of them.
  6. It can be easy to forget that the internet is not a private space, and as a result young people sometimes engage in risky behaviour online. Advise your children not to post any pictures, videos or information on their profiles, or in chat rooms, that they would not want a parent or carer to see.
  7. If your child receives spam or junk email and texts, remind them never to believe their contents, reply to them or use them.
  8. It's not a good idea for your child to open files that are from people they don't know. They won't know what they contain—it could be a virus, or worse – an inappropriate image or film.
  9. Help your child to understand that some people lie online and that therefore it's better to keep online mates online. They should never meet up with any strangers.
  10. Always keep communication open for a child to know that it's never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable.
If you have information relating to online crime call Bedfordshire Police in confidence on the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org


 
 
 
 

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