Newsletter Friday 3rd December

Most children use some form of social media or messaging via apps like What’s App or within games like Roblox. Many visit these sites every day.

There are plenty of good things about social media and these messaging choices — but also many risks and things children should avoid. They don't always make good choices when they post something to a site, and this can lead to problems.

With this in mind, our focus this week is emphasising to children that “nothing can be deleted from the internet”.

Posting an inappropriate photo can damage a reputation and cause problems years later.

Even posting a mean-spirited message, even as a joke, can be very hurtful to someone else and even taken as a threat.

What’s even worse is no matter how much you might regret a message or video you have posted, you can never guarantee that something has been entirely scrubbed from the internet.

There are cookies and caches, and with people’s ability to screenshot, it means that it does not matter how quickly you take down a post, the chances are someone has spotted it and nabbed it for the future.

Therefore we here at Moorcroft Wood would recommend children consider the below three points before posting anything online…

• Be nice. Mean behaviour is not OK. Make it clear that you expect your children to treat others with respect, and to never post hurtful or embarrassing messages. And ask them to always tell you about any harassing or bullying messages that others post.

• Think twice before hitting "enter." Remind children that what they post can be used against them. For example, an ill-spirited message could be used against them, maybe not the same day, or even a week later, but many many years down the line.

• Follow the What Would Grandma Say? rule. Teach kids not to share anything on social media that they would not want their teachers, parents — and yes, grandma — to read.

Finally, please remember that should you have any concerns about any of these weekly e-safety tips, please do not hesitate to speak to either your child’s teacher or a member of St James’ management team.