Computing

Vent markets itself as a peer support app, aimed at children and young people, where they can express themselves and have their mood lifted. Vent states that users can only post in the app if they are aged 13 or older. However, the only verification required is ticking a box when signing up meaning younger […]

As our new school year begins, we will be asking KS1 and KS2 children to sign the Acceptable Use Agreement before they begin using technology at school. This document outlines what children must remember in order to stay safe online when they are at home and school. This will also be available for you to view under […]

As we enter the summer holidays and routines may change, remember to keep device usage to a limit close to bedtime. Using Downtime or Bedtime Mode on yours or your child’s devices is a useful way to ensure that devices are not used for too long and that they are not impacting on your child’s […]

Amino is a social media platform that allows fans of particular TV shows or games to meet together in one space, in the way of a virtual convention. The app has a 12+ or teen rating however, it is possible to create an account without proof of age. Users can hide their true identity which […]

Online Challenges are fundamentally viral online trends that involve people taking part in or mimicking games, activities or dares. They often originate on apps such as TikTok but can then spread to a variety of other platforms. Sometimes these challenges are harmless and can even be used to promote positive causes or raise money for charity however far […]

OmeTV is yet another app that allows users to connect with others from all around the world. As a user, you are able to search for other users based on age and gender and then connect with them through sending messages or photos. Although, the app is mostly used to connect users at random through […]

If you are ever feeling unsure about whether an app is suitable for your child, there are a number of strategies you can use to find out. If your child already uses the app, you could ask them to show you it and how it works. Alternatively, to check for yourself before giving your child […]

Telegram is frequently promoted as an alternative to Whatsapp that offers a more secure platform for messaging. This is due to features such as ‘secret chats’ and ‘self-deleting messages’. Whilst these features are useful from a security perspective, they can pose a number of risks in terms of the sharing of harmful content. Secret chats […]

The Virgin Media Online Safety Blog offers a range of tips and tools to support your children in staying safe online. They also provide an online safety quiz that you can complete to check your own knowledge of online safety matters of four main topics: cyberbullying, parental controls, social media and inappropriate content.  You can also […]

Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) Command. Thinkuknow.co.uk is an extremely useful website for parents to gain more information on how to keep their children safe online as well as on what to do should problems arise. Thinkuknow also offers child friendly videos and activities targeted […]