Online Safety

Online Slang

This guide decodes popular online slang, helping parents and educators understand key terms and their implications – from harmless trends to language that could disguise bullying or mental health concerns.
 
Online slang can be a vibrant way for young people to express themselves, but it also changes rapidly and can sometimes carry hidden meanings. This guide helps adults navigate this shifting landscape by breaking down what some of today’s most-used slang terms actually mean and why they matter. From ‘rizz’ to ‘sigma’, it’s a handy starting point for anyone wanting to better understand how young people communicate online. 
National College have created this free guide offering parents and educators information about online slang and the risks involved – from generational misunderstandings to being used as a veil for harmful content or behaviour. Importantly, it offers advice on encouraging open conversations and critical thinking about language. With slang constantly evolving, this guide encourages adults to stay curious, connected and supportive.

 

Online Safety Videos

Further to our successful online safety day in school with i-vengers, over June and July we will be sharing a number of short videos with you.

The aim of these is make parent/carers aware of the risks and issues children may face online and where to go for extra support.

We will share be sharing a number of videos covering the following topics;

    • Online Risk
    • Online Gaming
    • YouTube
    • Social Media
    • Child Exploitation
    • Screentime
    • Artificial Intelligence

Although much of the information in these videos are ok for children, there is some information that may not be appropriate. Please take precautions when watching any of the videos (e.g. wear headphones).

Parental Controls Guides

Activate parental controls to manage children’s devices, apps and platforms, to give them safer online experiences

Video 1 – Introduction

Video 2 – Online Risk

Useful Links:

One of the main concerns from parents is related to adult content. Here is a link that will help you to learn a little more, tips to protect your child and how you can deal with it.https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/online-pornography/

Another concern is related to youth produced sexual images (sometimes called sexting). Here you will find some very useful information. In particular the document ‘Look at Me’ is useful and particularly in relation to vulnerable chhttps://www.internetmatters.org/issues/sexting/ildren.

Video 3 – Gaming

Useful Links:

Gaming – the benefits: https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/online-gaming-advice/online-gaming-the-benefits/

Gaming Hub – Lots of useful information here: gaming age guides, what you need to know, choosing the best games, setting limits and more: https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/online-gaming-advice/

Common Sense Media – If your child is asking you about a game and you’re not sure, it’s worth having a look on the Common Sense Media website where you can find advice and opinion about thousands of games. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews

Taming Gaming – this is a brilliant resource for parents, with lots of useful information. The site is owned by a father who is a big gaming enthusiast. https://www.taminggaming.com/features/Curated+Lists+of+Amazing+Video+Games+that+Parents+Love

Ask About Games – A great site to get lots of useful information and tips. https://askaboutgames.com

 

Video 4 – YouTube

Useful Links:

In the video I mention some features in YouTube which can help you as a parent. These are Supervised Experience (in the main YouTube app) and Parent Allowlisting (in the YouTube Kids app). This link has 5 short videos explaining what these are and how to set them up:

https://www.esafety-adviser.com/youtube-parental-restrictions/

Information on the Google Family Link app, which also includes how to set up a Google (plus YouTube) account for children under 13:  https://families.google/familylink/faq/#:~:text=Parents%20can%20also%20create%20a,device%20with%20their%20new%20account.

 

 

Video 5 – Social Media

Useful Links:

Common Sense Media – this is a one-stop shop to find further, useful information for parents. Whether it’s an app, a game or a book it’s a good chance it’s here. Just use the search bar at the top of the page. https://www.commonsensemedia.org

TikTok Safety and Wellbeing features: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-gb/safety

Instagram – a guide for parents. https://about.instagram.com/community/parents

Live streaming – risks and advice: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/what-is-live-streaming/

Social Media Risks and Rewards https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/social-media-advice-hub/

Disrupted childhood – the cost of persuasive design: https://5rightsfoundation.com/uploads/Disrupted-Childhood-2023-v2.pdf

How to spot dangerous online challenges: https://www.flipsnack.com/internetmattersorg/how-to-spot-dangerous-online-challenges-internet-matters/full-view.html

Snapchat – latest safety features: https://values.snap.com/news/new-features-to-help-protect-our-community?lang=en-GB

 

 

Video 6 – Child Exploitation – This video is NOT suitable for children

Useful Links:

Internet Watch Foundation – Talk Checklist

Clear, practical advice to keep your children safe. https://talk.iwf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Parent-Resource.pdf

Internet Watch Foundation 2024 Report (for 2023 statistics)

Note: this report contains language and explanations that some may find very upsetting. https://www.iwf.org.uk/annual-report-2023/

Internet Watch Foundation – Supporting children with SEND https://talk.iwf.org.uk/children-with-send/

Internet Matters – Teens, Sexting and Risks https://www.internetmatters.org/about-us/sexting-report-look-at-me/

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Service (National Crime Agency)

If you or your child is worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating you can report here: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

IWF/Childline Report – Remove

For use by young people who, for whatever reason, have taken and shared a nude image. https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/report-remove/

 

 

Video 7 – Screentime

Useful Links:

The debate about screentime – Professor Sonia Livingstone is one of the most knowledgeable people in the UK when it comes to screentime and other issues that affect children. In this article she shares some useful insights: https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/parenting4digitalfuture/2019/02/08/from-policing-screen-time/

Screentime – getting the balance right for different ages of children: https://www.internetmatters.org/issues/screen-time/

 

 

Video 8 – Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Video 9 – Useful links and resources

Useful Links:

Internet Matters is a fantastic resource built for parents and carers, there is a tremendous amount of online safety information that is useful, such as:

· All the most common risks and issues, along with accompanying advice according to the age of your children.

· Setting up parental controls on all the devices your children use.

· Gaming advice hub.

· Social media advice hub.

· Advice hub for children with special educational needs.

· Screentime.

· And much more.

Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org

Common Sense Media – this is a one-stop shop to find further, useful information for parents. Whether it’s an app, a game or a book it’s a good chance it’s here. Just use the search bar at the top of the page. https://www.commonsensemedia.org

Are you worried about the way someone has been communicating with your child online? You can make a report to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

Kids, Puberty and Tech – conversation starters for 8-12 year olds. https://parents.thorn.org/situation/

Guides on a range of topics suitable for 7-17 year olds, from device access, consent, making friends and more. https://parents.thorn.org/discussion-guides/