Today is
‘Internet Safety Day – 7th February 2017
Scoil Chlann Naofa
prides itself on providing a safe learning environment for its students. An
emerging national concern is the inappropriate use of the Internet by students.
This problem has the potential to be harmful, and we ask your support in
assisting us with this challenge.
Across the nation,
schools have seen an increase in negative student behavior as a result of
messages written using electronic technology, posted to popular social
networking Web sites. Many sites contain instant messaging components that allow
students to chat with other students and to post statements that ordinarily
would not be said in a face-to-face conversation.
To our knowledge,
there are no adults officially responsible for monitoring the content on such
Web sites, and some students use the sites to participate in online bullying or
to threaten harm to other students. The so-called “cyber bullies,” mostly
children between the ages of 9 and 14, use the anonymity of the Web to hurt
others without witnessing the consequences. Students who are bullied online
sometimes do not report these occurrences for fear that they will be barred
from using the Internet.
Helpful Tips and Resources
We encourage you
to talk with your son or daughter about the potential danger of the Internet.
Ask if they have an account with Facebook, Snapchat, or similar Web sites. If
your child is using such a site with your permission, you may want to review
his or her profile to ensure that no personal and identifiable information has
been posted.
We also encourage you
to establish rules and guidelines to ensure the safety of your child while on
the Internet. Some Web sites offer parental or family guidance for Internet
safety; for example, http://zeeko.ie/ , this is a fantastic resource for parents.
Scoil Chlann Naofa
will continue to provide Internet security within our schools. It is important
that parents also monitor Internet use at home.
The Parents
Association will be organising an Anti-Bullying/Information evening at some
stage in the next year and all parents will be invited to attend. It is
important that parents attend information evenings like this, in order to stay
up to date with current issues that may affect your child.
Thank you for your
support and cooperation in keeping our students safe.
Be Web-Wise! Click here to go to Webwise.ie and find out more.
