Keeping Safe Advice
Sexualised Behaviours
Children and young people typically display a range of sexualised behaviours as they grow up. However some may display problematic or abusive sexualised behaviour. This is harmful to the children who display it as well as the people it’s directed towards.
Everyone who works or volunteers with children should be able to distinguish developmentally typical sexual behaviour from sexual behaviours that are problematic or harmful. This will help you respond appropriately and provide children and young people with the right protection and support.
Cybercrime
What is cybercrime?
Organised crime has been quick to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the internet. Specialist criminal groups can target individuals to steal personal information, and then profit from the compromised data available to them.
Personal details can be obtained in several different ways, common methods include ‘phishing’, and malware. Phishing will usually involve a fake email or website that entices a user into entering their credit card details in good faith.
Malware is software that is secretly installed on an individual’s computer when they visit an unsafe website or download an infected file – it will search for data stored on the computer and track when personal information is entered into forms.
Follow the link below to find out more.
The main rules to tell your children
- Always use privacy settings.
- When creating your password reset questions and answers, keep in mind how easy it might be to guess the answer. Is the information readily available or easy to research via your social media accounts? If so, it may be safer to choose a more difficult question.
- Use different passwords for each account.
- Avoid keeping your passwords written down and never store them on your web browser.
- Never share a password and PINs with anyone – not even your best friend.
- Never give your information to someone you don’t know in the real world.
- And parents don’t forget to download and install anti-virus and online security software which helps protect your computer from outside attacks, such as malware and viruses that could try to steal information off your computer.
Worried you or your child has been a victim of cybercrime?
If you think you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cybercrime, contact the platform (eg: app or website) where it occurred and talk to Action Fraud, the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime.
Follow the links below for advice for online safety tips.
Keeping Safe Online
Brockley Primary School & Derbyshire Safeguarding
Cyber-bullying: when a minor is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed, or otherwise targeted by another minor (once adults become involved, it becomes cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking). In the past year, 43% of U.S. teens having experienced some form of cyber-bullying. There are two types of cyber-bullying: direct attacks (messages sent directly to minor) or cyber-bullying by proxy (using others to help cyber-bully, with or without the accomplice’s knowledge). Cyber-bullying is often motivated by anger, revenge, frustration, boredom, or insecurity. Educating children about the consequences and teaching them to respect others and take a stand against bulling can help prevent cyber-bullying. If it has already started, there are still things you can do. First, don’t respond or retaliate. This is what the bully wants. Instead, save the evidence and talk to a trusted adult. Block the bully, and whatever you do, don’t become the bully. Stay civil. Unfortunately, every cyber bully’s motives are different, so it is hard to determine a “one size fits all” response. However, if you take these steps, and seek help, an adult can help you analyze the problem and find a solution that fits.
Identity Theft: when someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for an economic gain. According to the FTC, 1 in 8 Americans has been affected by Internet identity theft in the last 5 years. On the internet, thieves can either grab information when it is being sent over an unsecured transmission, or they can install malicious software on your computer (like spyware) that will collect everything they need and send it back to them. To prevent identity theft, you should never give out financial or personal information over the phone or internet. You should commit all your passwords to memory and examine your credit reports often. You can also secure your web browser by doing things like blocking popups, sealing security gaps, and downloading a virus-scanning software for automatic updates. You can also protect your private data by deleting your internet history or emptying your recycling bin.
Stalkers: Cyberstalking is when someone stalks or harasses another individual, a group or individuals, or an organization through the Internet or by other electronic means. False accusations, attempts to gather information about the victim, encouraging others to harass the victim, false victimization, attacks on data and equipment, ordering goods and services, and arranging to meet are all key factors stalkers use to harass their victim. To protect yourself from cyber-stalking, you should never reveal your home address or social security number. Be suspicious of any incoming emails, telephone calls, or texts that ask you for your identifying information and check your credit report status regularly. Password protect all your accounts, and if you think you have a cyber-stalker, act fast. Make it clear to that person that you would not like to be contacted again or block them. Save all communications as evidence, and if harassment continues, contact the harasser’s Internet Service Provider (ISP) or your local police department and inform them of the situation in as much detail as possible. You can also contact The National Domestic Violence Hotline, at 800-799-SAFE.
Topics about keeping safe from Derbyshire Safeguarding Board can be found below by following the link.