At Alexandra Park School we are committed to helping our students understand the risks online and taking measures to protect themselves, whether from hackers, viruses, cyberbullies or online strangers that may want to harm them.
Social Media
Many of you are on social media, there can be many benefits such as it invites create expression, allows you to connect with friends, family and likeminded people, it promotes awareness and raises critical thinkers. However there can also be drawbacks such as it can be a distraction, it can be an invasion of privacy and high on the list for young people is that there is a high amount of cyber bullying and trolling.
You should use social media in a responsible and kind way. If you feel that something harmful is being said please report the harmful content by using the link below. If members from our community are being unkind please save the content and report it to a parent or a member of staff.
Cyber-bullying
Cyberbullying can include:
- sending threatening or abusive text messages;
- creating and sharing embarrassing images or videos;
- trolling – the sending of menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games;
- excluding children from online games, activities or friendship groups;
- shaming someone online;
- setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child;
- encouraging young people to self-harm;
- voting for or against someone in an abusive poll;
- creating fake accounts, hijacking or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause trouble using their name;
- sending explicit messages, also known as sexting;
- pressuring children into sending sexual images or engaging in sexual conversations.
If you need to report an incident of bullying or another incident where you have been made to feel unsafe you can report it here
Support for Parents
Talk to your children about Bullying and Cyber-bullying.
If you suspect your child to be a victim of Cyber-bullying listen carefully to what your child has to say. They may feel scared, embarrassed or ashamed that they are a victim to Cyber-bullying and may feel worried about what could happen to them if they speak to anyone about it.
Child exploitation Online Protection
CEOP is the Child Exploitation and Online Protection unit within the National Crime Agency. CEOP also has a reporting system where young people can get advice and report any sexual exploitation online.
What kind of Concerns can be reported to CEOP?
Someone online has asked a child/young person to send them nude images.- A child/young person has shared a nude image with someone online and then this person has threatened/blackmailed the child as a result.
- A child/young person has or is planning to meet up with someone face-to-face that they have only met online.
- Someone online is talking to a child/young person in a sexual way and making them feel uncomfortable.
- Someone online is sending child/young person pornography.
- Someone online keeps asking a child/young person to go on camera.
Cyber-bullying should not be reported to CEOP. You should speak to an adult you trust, and / or contact Childline on 0800 1111.
The internet is such an integral part of our lives, opening up many educational and social opportunities. Whether on a computer at school, a laptop at home, a games console or mobile phone, young people are increasingly accessing the internet whenever they can and wherever they are. We at APS would like you to do this safely and responsibly.
If you have any concerns or need advice about any e-safety issues such as sexting, identity, online relationships, online reputation or anything else please speak to a trusted adult at school.