E Safety

E-safety is an umbrella term but essentially about staying safe on the internet/online and the skills that come with this ability. This has become of huge importance due to the development of technology and the dangers that can come with them through online, smartphones, computers and social media (Hellard and Hopping, 2018), there is a particular danger for young people as its been reported that, ‘over half of young people (59%) report that they use social network sites’ (Wespieser, 2015, p.19) and being able to use social network confidently and being digitally competent are two different understandings, being able to be digitally competent is the skill you need which enables you to be confident and safe online (Welsh Government, 2016,p.2).

Donaldson voiced the fact teachers must educate children on how to safely use technology (2015, p. 15) this has become a very widely spoken subject matter as Wespieser found that many children have made friends with people they don’t know through social networks, at age 15 those who admitted to making friends with those they did not know online were 58% which increased as they got older (2015, p. 14). In order to make sure a large portion of children do get taught e safety it is now part of the curriculum and being implemented into schools as there is a digital competency framework for each of the years in primary education and the, ‘area of priority at both Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils must be taught to use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private, know where to go for help and support when they have concerns about material on the internet.’ (DfE, 2013, p.189). Digital Competence Framework was one of the key recommendations by Donaldson in his report, which then another report noted to the Welsh government claimed that digital competency was as important as literacy and numeracy in the twenty first century, the development of the digital competency framework was even fast tracked as it is seen as a large issue therefore the framework was implemented rapidly. To create safe digital environments for the future, educators and parents need to invest time now to educate the safe use of online activity now but a question raised was should it be the responsibility of schools to teach e-safety or at home. Donaldson’s report suggests that digital competency should be the responsibility of teachers, although it was identified that e safety was actually outing teachers off (Cranmer, Selwyn and Potter, 2009) therefore this may put children at a disadvantage as if some teachers do not fully commit to this then not all children will be getting the same information and guidance needed in this area which can make it very dangerous for these children that lack this knowledge. Another way schools can lack in providing the best guidance through e safety is due to lock down systems as if you simply block and use strict filters learners will only experience sanitised versions of the internet. You could be putting children at a greater risk. (Savage and Barnett, 2015). Much research found that lock down systems were worse for children as its similar to many things in order to understand the risks you need to be some what vulnerable to the risks, so you can learn to manage and control them ‘children need to be empowered to understand risk and learn how to stay safe’ (Ofsted, 2014. p4). Research found "For the first time, today’s parents and teachers have little, if any, experience with the tools that children are going to use every day in their adult lives". (OECD, 2015) this can make one question whether inexperienced adults have the ability to teach children how to sue the internet as there are many adults who don’t know themselves, therefore professionals may be needed and this can also be the same for at home as parents or guardians may not be able to fully and effectively educate their children about e safety which the Welsh Government have acknowledge and therefore joined together with Digital Pioneers so they can help and support teachers and those learning about e safety (Welsh Government, 2016,p.10).

Recently I experienced a lesson about e safety and how to help others with this problem which was very effective as two guest speakers came in from a company called Digital Heroes, where they explained many things along with how there is a huge danger for children but also anyone that doesn’t have access to technology therefore are unfamiliar with it, people who may be restricted for many reasons or those who simply do not know how to use the internet and various types of technology. The ONS found that 8.4% of adults had never used the internet before and over half of these adults were aged 75 and over (2018). Elderly people are also in a lot of danger due to lack of knowledge of e safety as they can be easily scammed and just aren’t aware of how the internet works and what are the major signs, and some people don’t bother with the internet as they don’t think they will be able to use the internet, and this is what digital heroes helped to train the class on. There was some role playing involved on how to teach someone who was deprived of knowledge on how to use technology to do certain things by trying to explain it to them whilst back to back and this was very difficult at first, but tips were then given to help. Digital Heroes did give a realisation at how many different people this affects such as, elderly people, parents and adults in general, children, foreign people and even people with disabilities. It may be difficult for these people, but Digital Heroes helps people for getting over these barriers of thinking they cannot access the internet. As technology advances more it gets easier to use and caters to a variety of needs e.g. a app was shown which helps those who have a visual impairment, called SeeignA1 which is also free and then you also have Siri which is very useful allowing you to call, text and find out things just by simply speaking to the phone.

Reference List 

Beauchamp, G. (2016) Computing and ICT in the Primary School, from pedagogy to practice. Routledge: New York.

Cranmer, S., Selwyn, N. and Potter, J. (2009) 'Exploring primary pupils experiences and understandings of "Esafety"'. Education and Information Technologies, 14, pp127-42

Department for Education (2013) The National Curriculum England: Framework document. (Online) Available at: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210969/NC_framework_document_-_FINAL.pdf [Accessed February 2019]

Donaldson, G. (2015). Successful Futures: Independent review of curriculum and assessment arrangements in Wales. Caerdydd: Llywodraeth Cenedlaethol Cymru.

Hellard, B and Hopping, C. (2015) We explain what e-safety is and how it can be managed in schools and beyond: What is e-safety? Available at: https://www.itpro.co.uk/strategy/28709/what-is-e-safety [Accessed February 2019]

OECD (2015), Students, computers and learning: Making the connection, PISA, OECD Publishing. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264239555-en.  [Accessed February 2019]

ONS (2018) Internet users, UK: 2018, Internet use in the UK annual estimates by age, sex, disability and geographical location. Available at:https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/itandinternetindustry/bulletins/internetusers/2018#older-adults-are-less-likely-to-use-the-internet  [Accessed February 2019]

Savage, M. and Barnett, A. (2015) Digital Literacy for Primary Teachers. Critical Publishing: Glasgow.

Shipton, L. (2011) Improving E safety in Primary Schools: Guidance Document. Final Report, Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. Centre for Education and Inclusion research.

Welsh Government. (2016) Digital Competency Framework: Your questions answered. Available at: https://learning.gov.wales/docs/learningwales/publications/160831-dcf-your-questions-answered-en.pdf [Accessed February 2019]

Wespieser, K. (2015). Young people and e-safety: The results of the 2015 London Grid for Learning e-safety survey. Slough: NFER.