Online Safety (Edexcel IGCSE Ict)
Exam board Pearson Edexcel · IGCSEUpdated 2024-06-12
Spec point —
3.2.5
Online safety
What is the need for online safety?
- Online safety is about knowing about and using the internet safely and responsibly
- It refers to when an individual is using the internet, email, social media, online gaming
- Online safety refers to the individual knowing how to protect themselves from potential dangers and threats
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Protects personal information | Awareness that personal information should not be shared freely |
| Prevents cyberbullying | Awareness of how to act online and how to avoid falling victim, creating a safe and respectful online environment |
| Guards against online scams | Identify and avoid online scams, phishing attempts, and fraudulent websites that may try to trick them into sharing personal or financial information |
| Ensures digital reputation | Mindful of online behaviour and interactions, protecting your digital reputation, which can have long-term consequences in personal and professional lives |
| Promotes privacy and control | Have control over privacy settings on social media platforms, allowing a limit to who can access/view personal information and posts |
| Prevents exposure to inappropriate content | Avoid encountering explicit or harmful content online, reducing the risk of exposure to inappropriate material or online predators |
| Secures online gaming experiences | Engage in online gaming responsibly, avoiding sharing personal details and maintaining respectful behaviour towards other players |
| Guards against malware and viruses | Protecting devices from malware, viruses, and other online threats, preventing data loss, privacy breaches, or device damage |
| Promotes responsible digital citizenship | Develop responsible online behaviours, promoting respectful conduct while interacting with others on the internet |
| Supports overall well-being | Maintain a healthy balance between online and offline lives, reducing the risk of addiction, mental health issues, or negative impacts on relationships and self-esteem |
How can you be safe using IT?
-
There are many ways to remain safe when using technology,by following the advice and guidance users can stay safe whilst:
- Using the internet
- Sending/receiving email
- Using social media
- Playing games online
| Task | Advice & guidance |
|---|---|
| Using the internet | - Use trusted websites recommended by teachers or reputable sources - Utilise search engines that only allow access to age-appropriate websites and use filters to ensure inappropriate content is not seen - Never reveal personal information |
| Sending/receiving email | - Be aware of the potential dangers of opening or replying to emails from unknown people, including attachments, potential dangers include phishing, spam - Ensure you know who the email is for when considering sending personal data or images via email, only with people you know and not with identifiable content like school photos |
| Using social media | - Know how to block and report people who send content or messages that are unwanted - Know where the privacy settings are to reduce the number of people who can see your posts or images - Be aware of the potential dangers associated with meeting online contacts face to face, do not meet anyone you do not know, if you do, take an adult and meet publicly - Do not distribute of inappropriate images and inappropriate language - Respect the confidentiality of personal data belonging to other people - Only accept friend requests from people you know - Parents should be aware of what you are doing online, discuss what you are doing online - Do not post images or details that can be used to locate you |
| Playing games online | - Do not use real names as usernames - Never share personal or financial details with other players - Know how to block and report players for inappropriate messages or comments |
Acceptable behaviour policies
Spec point —
3.7.3
What is an acceptable behaviour policy?
-
An acceptable behaviour policy (ABP) is a set of rules that outlines how people are expected to conduct themselves online
-
ABPs are used in all forms of online community and typically covers:
- Desired behaviours
- Unacceptable behaviours
- Reporting procedures
- Consequences
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