Friendly WiFi

Friendly WiFi is the world’s first accreditation scheme designed to verify whether a business’ public Wi-Fi service meets a minimum level of filtering to block out access to pornographic and child abuse websites. ‘Friendly WiFi’ aims to keep children and young people safe from viewing inappropriate material when logged into public Wi-Fi offered in cafes, shops, restaurants etc across the UK.

RDI Director Mike Davies said; “The creation of the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme follows a number of collaborative discussions about what can be done to improve child safety online. RDI has worked with the Government and industry to develop such a scheme, carrying a friendly logo to help UK businesses promote the fact that their Wi-Fi service is filtered and that ‘Friendly WiFi’ sites can be easily identified and located throughout the UK. The RDI is looking forward to supporting a safer environment for children and young people as the level of internet browsing and availability of services continues to increase.”

So what is 'Friendly WiFi'? Mike explains:

"For the past 12 months the Registered Digital Institute (RDI) has worked alongside The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) to design and launch a scheme that is the first in the world to use a minimum standard specification of filtering and to regulate public Wi-Fi services offered by businesses in the UK. This initiative is supported by Government and the UK’s main Wi-Fi providers."

"‘Friendly WiFi’ has been created to ensure that businesses who offer their customers the use of their public Wi-Fi services and who wish to become a ‘Friendly WiFi’ venue, can have their Wi-Fi services verified by an independent body to confirm that the correct filters are in place to block anyone from accessing inappropriate material."

Where should people look out for the ‘Friendly WiFi’ logo?

"The ‘Friendly WiFi’ logo can be found on the high street, in cafes, shops, restaurants, hotels and public transport. Wherever you see the ‘Friendly WiFi’ logo, parents and children can be assured that the public Wi-Fi offered at that particular venue has reached an industry recognised standard level of filtering and that access to pornography and child abuse websites, videos and images are blocked."

Why is it important for public Wi-Fi to be filtered?

"If filters are not placed on public Wi-Fi services, children and young people are at risk of viewing and accessing inappropriate material. This includes pornographic and child abuse imagery, websites and videos."

Claire Lilley, Head of Child Online Safety at NSPCC, has also given the scheme her backing; “Children often go online when they are out and about and parents need to know that using a public Wi-Fi network won’t expose them to pornography. So it’s very reassuring for parents to know that when they see the ‘Friendly WiFi’ logo they can allow their children to go online in safety. However, as with any filtering measures it’s vital not to be complacent and we urge parents to talk to their children about what they get up to online and what to do if they have any concerns.”

Many high street names have become Friendly WiFi accredited including Tesco, Samsung and Starbucks. These WiFi venues can be identified by the Friendly WiFi logo. The logo will reassure consumers that the most worrying internet content for children, including pornography, will have been placed behind filters and so unavailable to users.

More information can be found at the Friendly WiFi website.

Written by Safeguarding Essentials on July 24, 2014 11:15

Online Games: A Few Considerations

Game Based LearningType ‘online games for children’ into a search engine and a staggering amount of results are returned. Quite literally, hours and hours could be spent playing the array of online games. Some online games may have an educational value, developing knowledge and understanding of content in the school curriculum for English, Mathematics or other subjects. Others may benefit wider cognitive development, encouraging reasoning and problem-solving abilities. There are, however, recreational online games that need to be evaluated for their suitability for children and it is important to know what to look for to ensure online safety.

Arcade-type games are prolific on the internet and many of those in search results for ‘online games for children’ (or similar keyword searches) contain inappropriate content. A ‘shoot ‘em up’ game is very different in nature when children are blasting the answer to a number sentence than when zombies, people and everyday objects are the objects of destruction… FunBrain, although an American site, offers arcade-style games that have educational value and some are simply there for the purpose of having fun. As part of Pearson Education, the appropriateness of the content can be trusted.

Online games hosted in the USA that comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) limits marketing and prevents online collection of personal information from children younger than thirteen years old. It is worthwhile knowing about COPPA in the context of the UK because it can provide some assurances to teachers, parents and carers that the online gaming environment has been subject to regulations intended to protect children. Remember, searching for online games using Google or other search engines can provide links to websites hosted anywhere in the world.

Poptropica is a virtual world for children, a multi-player online role-playing game. It has controls to ensure online chat is restricted. Children can communicate with other players and compete with them when travelling through different islands to complete quests and challenges. This website involves scripted chat. It is not possible for a child to type their own questions and answers therefore what is communicated is limited. Personal details cannot be shared. In the event of an adult using the website, they are unable to engage in any conversations other than those determined by the scripted chat facility provided by the website. Avatars are randomly generated and provide anonymity. Poptropica can be considered a safe online role-playing game for children and preferable to console games or other online virtual worlds where multi-player chat is not necessarily subject to such strict constraints. This website is an example of an online environment adhering to the COPPA.

For domains in the UK or elsewhere, it is wise to find parent or teacher information links. In preparing this piece, it was found that this is not always straightforward. It is, however, quite informative. Several websites offering online games for children place the responsibility on those supervising children’s use of the games to decide on whether it is safe and appropriate. Any such notice on an online gaming site should alert an adult to a possible lack of control in the materials available and the extent to which personal information could be shared within games.

So, for teachers, parents and carers concerned about online games that are appropriate for younger children, the following points need to be considered.

If the game is a virtual world where role-playing is featured, thoroughly check the nature of the chat facility. It should generally involve controls in how usernames for avatars are generated and ensure avatar pictures cannot be uploaded therefore the risk of children identifying themselves online is limited. Scripted chat rather than free typing facilities are a feature that should be evident before allowing a child to interact with others in an online virtual environment role-playing game.

It is important to examine what a gaming website says about its own view of how it is or is not actively aiming to support the safeguarding of children. Perhaps a general rule of thumb is to only allow access to reputable websites from trusted organisations, such as the BBC, Disney or other major organisations that produce online games for educational or entertainment purposes.

You can teach your students more about the risks associated with online communication and gaming using a selection of lesson plans and assembly plans available to E-safety Support Premium and Premium Plus members.

Written by Jazz Williams on February 06, 2014 12:39

Naace Strategic Conference – 27-28 March 2014

Naace ConferenceThe Naace Strategic Conference 2014 takes places in Nottingham on 27-28 March and will see Naace celebrate its 30th anniversary. The conference is open to both Naace members and non-members and is suitable for teachers, school leaders, advisors and consultants working within and across all phases of UK education.

The conference will address how to be outstanding in a world full of technology and the implications of this. Areas such as school improvement and raising standards, meeting technical challenges and e-twinning are hot topics for those involved in technology education. We’ll be addressing these issues, whilst providing plenty of opportunities for you to network with colleagues and discuss the latest developments in educational technology.

The conference will question:

  • Is outstanding teaching possible without good use of technology? What does a school need to put in place to enable all the teachers to be outstanding?

  • Is the 'flipping' of learning something every school should be working on, enabling pupils to extend learning and time in school to be used more productively?

  • Does proper demonstration of progression and achievement require online access to pupils' work and teachers' records?

  • How can schools best capitalise on the communication, collaboration and access to learning opened up by Internet?
  • Every school leader, and every teacher in all subjects, needs to know the answer to these questions. If you want to advance education, this is the conference to advance your understanding of how best to do it.

    Confirmed Keynote speakers for the event include:

    • John Anderson - Managing inspector, ETI, Northern Ireland
    • Jim Fanning - Head of emerging technologies, Education Scotland
    • Lindsay Harvey - Head of Digital Learning, DfES, Welsh Government
    • Janet Hayward - Chair of National Digital Learning Council for Wales
    • Rhian Kavanagh - e-skills
    • Jeff Smith - Director IET Associates and Consultant to Brent Schools Partnership
    • Professor Celia Hoyles OBE & Professor Richard Noss - London Knowledge Lab
    • Kirsten Campbell-Howes - Soda
    • Peter Yeomans - Plymouth University
    • Jan Harrison - Naace
    • Tim Scratcherd - School House Partnership
    • Dr Carol Porter - Children's Service, Bury LA
    • Tim Rylands & Sarah Neild - So into It

    Alongside the Keynote Sessions and Naace Impact Awards presentations, visitors will be able to network at NaaceShare and discover top new products at the exhibition.

    To complement the engaging keynote speakers, there are also some excellent breakout sessions, including:

    • iPads for learning
    • Maximising the Computing Curriculum - one school's approach
    • Leading your school to the 3rd Millennium Learning Award
    • Translating learner voice
    • Quad-blogging
    • e-safety
    • 100 Word challenge - raising writing standards
    • Digital Leaders Academy
    • Effective use of SIMS
    • Making digital tools work for learners
    • and much more!!

    For more details and to book online, please visit www.naace.co.uk/events/conference2014

    Written by Safeguarding Essentials on January 15, 2014 09:58


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