EduCare launches new Online Safety course with Childnet International

Education Health & Care Sport & Leisure Charities & Community Groups Guidance and Legislation 2nd September 2019 Return to News

How children and young people are affected by abuse online is constantly changing and evolving. We live in a truly connected world and that means avenues for abuse increase all the time.

As such EduCare is delighted that Childnet International have worked with us to ensure our Online Safety course covers the latest advice for protecting people online.

Will Gardner from Childnet commented:

"In order to help keep children safe online, we need to reach, inform and support those professionals that work with children. We were happy to team up with EduCare to develop this training course as we know their courses are used across the country, and this collaboration will help us with our mission to help make the internet a great and safe place for children.”

Scenario-based learning

Our new Online Safety course begins with a scenario that the learner refers back to as their understanding of potential risks develops.

Jasmine was given a smartphone for her birthday. She had told her parents that all her friends use social media so she felt left out. Jasmine signs herself up for several social media accounts, telling her mum not to worry because she only has people she knows on her accounts and the parental settings are in place at home.

Learners are then encouraged to think about what they already know about online safety.

Should Jasmine’s parents be concerned?
What are the risks?
What is the potential harm?

Children’s online usage – interesting statistics

Children and young people have been brought up with the internet and most use technology intuitively, often showing their parents how to use it. Being online enables children and young people to socialise, learn and experience many things in a variety of different ways.

5% of five to seven-year-olds, 35% of eight to 11-year-olds and 83% of 12-15 years-olds have their own smartphone.

A recently published report by Ofcom said that since 2017, there has been an increase in the hours spent playing online games.

A third of three to four-year-olds were reported to have spent six hours gaming a week.
Over two-thirds of 12 to 15-year-olds spent nearly 14 hours gaming a week.
Many young people regularly use online chat features.

52% of three to four-year-olds spent nine hours a week online.
93% of eight to 11-year-olds spent over 13.5 hours a week online.
99% of 12 to 15-year-olds spent 20.5 hours a week online.

YouTube is the main online destination for children, mainly to watch:

vloggers or YouTubers
videos relating to their hobbies and interests
sensory stimulation videos.

Online Safety - what do you need to know?

It is unrealistic to expect all those working with children and young people to know and keep up to date with all the apps and games children access. However, understanding the basic concepts of social media and gaming and how young people access them will help you to understand the potential risks. It is also important to know how risks can run across multiple platforms and experiences, and how to minimise them.

It is vital that all those working with children and young people:

have an awareness of risks and trends online
have appropriate online safety training
work with and learn from children and young people about what they are doing online
are aware of their digital footprint
make sure that any technology used within the organisation is used appropriately
ensure children have appropriate routes to support and report.