Monday 23 January – an invitation to Parents and Carers
In recent years, the Internet has changed all our lives and has brought many benefits and advantages. Thanks to the Internet and advances in technology, we can now do the following:
- Connect with friends, family and colleagues immediately, via email, Facebook, twitter and other social media
- Get news and information swiftly
- Enjoy educational and leisure opportunities that weren’t available previously
- Manage our personal and professional lives with greater ease – for example, by using electronic diaries, making online bookings, online banking services to name but a few
However, alongside all these benefits, access to the Internet and technology can pose risks and dangers. How do we ensure our children are only accessing safe content? How do we keep our personal information secure? How do we know which apps and devices are the most appropriate and safe for our families? Most importantly, how do we protect our children’s personal safety and their ‘digital footprint’ (the trace that remains whenever they are online)?
Worryingly, in school we regularly have to help resolve issues that have occurred outside of school hours through children’s inappropriate use of social media, particularly friendship issues related to WhatsApp groups. We wish to work in partnership with Parents and Carers to help avoid such issues, so, as part of our Online Safety training day on Monday 23 January, we are happy to offer workshops led by Teresa Hughes (please see the attached letter). The workshops will be held at 9.15 and 17.15 in the middle hall. Everyone should receive a letter with a reply slip. Please choose ONE workshop (they have the same content) and return the reply slip on your letter, indicating which workshop you will be attending.
We strongly advise that you attend one of the workshops and we look forward to welcoming you next Monday 23 January!”