You see something funny and scream, "LOL, LOL!"
You sign off and your screen says you were on for three days and 45 minutes.
Each year group in St Mary’s has been participating in activities to focus on the powerful aspect of the Internet with an important reminder to be positive and respectful whilst online.
As humans we pick up an amazing amount of visual clues from the people we talk to but all of this is lost in a simple message.
Foundation have been practising how to write positive messages and notes about their friend’s pictures while Year 1 have had a very interesting conversation about the digital footprint they have already left on the Internet. Look on the website for pictures and information.
How do we help? Well year 2 and year 5 have the answer. The children have been designing ideas, strategies and prompts to help Internet surfing and exploration to be a positive experience.
and year 4 wrote scenarios about what happened when…
“It’s so funny!” Jo typed while quietly laughing to herself. Mikah had fallen over her chair in the class and got bruises all over her face. “Really need a makeover!” giggled Ishaa while texting as fast as a fast runner like Usain Bolt. Jo felt great she had made her friend giggle and felt like everything was going well. Later that night Mikah received the message,
“What do you think – it’s funny? L” replied Mikah while finishing off her pizza, which tasted delicious. Thinking, Jo wondered what it meant. The face was angry and the message was short. Maybe Mikah didn’t like the photo and it was embarrassing, thought Jo.
At school the next day, Mikah told the teacher, who had a chat with Jo and Ishaa.
“Why did you make Mikah sad?” questioned the teacher.
“We, I, I,” spluttered Jo, “I didn’t do anything.” There was a short pause.
“It was a picture that I told Jo not to share but she shared it with Ishaa and Ishaa shared it with everyone,” explained Mikah.
“Jo, please think about others when sharing photos and say sorry,” stated the teacher.
“Sorry,” said Jo sadly.
“Why did you take a photo of her in class?”
“Please can we be friends again?” said Jo kindly to Mikah.
“Yes.”
Sharon Year 4
“OMG, this is hilarious!” Jo laughed to herself as she rapidly typed the message while she waited for lunch. Mikah had idiot written across his face and didn’t know it. Ishaa chuckled as she typed back. “He sure is an –well you know hahahaha!”Ishaa felt humour engulf her brain and blood vessels. Around 9 O’clock, Mikah found the text and sent back this, “L Why did you not tell me?”
Jo felt panic scorch through her veins. Was she doing the correct thing?
Ishaa typed to the internet saying, “Don’t send photos without permission, I learnt the hard way.”
Alfie Year 4
“OM goodness this is hilariousJ,” snorted Jeanette while hiding under her bed covers. Mina had sent her a picture of herself wearing lots of make-up while trying to viciously pull down her mum’s pink and purple sports bra.
“Ha ha hee hee!” laughed Jeanette so hard she fell out of bed! Suddenly, Jeanette thought of a very stupid and embarrassing idea. To send this picture to her friend Ina. 5 minutes later, Ina had sent a message back to Jeanette saying, “Sooo FUNNY! Sent it to everyone JJJJJ”
“On no!” thought Jeanette I didn’t know that would happen.
A few hours later, Mina had sent a sad letter saying, “What have you done? I’m so so soooo embarrassedL”
What has Jeanette done?
The next day, Jeanette kept on following Mina until Mina said, “Go away, we’re not friends anymore!”
So they were never friends again.
Arabella Year 4
Dear mums and dads,
Look out for SID TV (Safer Internet Day)
Talk to your children about digital respect and how to be positive online.
Below are some official links for you to explore.
Information and advice for parents
Need more information about how to keep your children safe?
Below are links to many sources for further information and advice.
- Children need more Resilience, Information and Power to enjoy the benefits the internet can bring and be safe. Read more at https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/growing-up-digital/
- What should you do if your child sees something upsetting online? Follow the advice on this UK Safer Internet Centre blog https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/blog/advice-parents-what-do-if-your-child-sees-something-upsetting-online
- If you have questions about gaming then have a look at http://www.askaboutgames.com/ and ask questions if you need answers
- Can my child chat or friend someone in a particular game? Find detailed reviews at Common Sense Media https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
- What should I do if my child is being bullied online? Use the Anti-Bullying alliance’s online tool to help you if you are concerned https://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/tools-information/advice-parents/interactive-anti-bullying-tool-parents
- How can I add parental controls to Snapchat? Look at the Internet Matters parents vlogger Adele https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/guidance/snapchat-safety-a-how-to-guide-for-parents/
- Internet Connected Toys can be really fun but what are the risks? Find out more https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/technology-toys-and-the-internet/
- Do you have a child using Musical.ly or Live.ly? Although these apps can be fun, there are risks of seeing inappropriate content, being contacted by inappropriate people or having their content shared by others. Look at https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/musically/ and https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/musically-your-video-social-network
- Who can I go to with a question about online safety? Call the NSPCC/02 helpline on 0808 8005002