Anti-Bullying Week

Anti-Bullying Week shines a light on bullying, sending a clear and positive message that bullying is neither acceptable or inevitable.

Anti-Bullying Week shines a light on bullying, sending a clear and positive message that bullying is neither acceptable or inevitable.

What we've been doing...
As part of Anti-Bullying Week - Be Safe in Cyberspace, learners and staff at the Spurs Learning Zone focused on the issue of cyber-bullying and e-safety. Cyberbullying involves the use of information communications technology (ICT), particularly mobile phones and the internet, to deliberately upset someone else.

Students who attend the after-school study support initiative, Playing for Success, were given guidance about how to use the internet safely and had the chance to talk about issues they have confronted when using new technology. As part of the week, staff showed an excellent and affecting film put together by the DCSF which provoked much discussion. CLICK HERE to view...

David Lyall, Tottenham Hotspur's Playing for Success manager, said: "It has been a very successful week for us covering this important topic. The children responded very well to the anti-bullying initiative and it helps them feel that there is a solution to bullying generally and cyberbullying in particular. With technology becoming more available to younger children, it's important that we are able to help them use it responsibly."

Students were delighted to receive logobugs and pencils from the Club to take away to remind them of the key issues covered during the week. Schools who took part in the week were Lancasterian Primary, Broadwater Farm Primary, St Paul's RC Primary, St Paul's & All Hallows Primary, St Thomas More Secondary, Fortismere School, and Northumberland Park Community School.

TECHNOLOGY
Technology offers fantastic opportunities for children but can be misused, and this can be very painful for those, both children and their parents, who are the targets of cyberbullying. Parents need to help children and young people prepare for the hazards whilst promoting the many learning and social opportunities available through technology.

With increasing numbers of primary age children using social networking sites and getting their first mobile phone, it is important that those closest to children and young people are able to help and support them.

A key message for this year's Anti-Bullying Week is that modern technologies remain a positive and productive part of the lives of children and young people and they can be used safely and constructively.

‘Netiquette'
Promote ‘netiquette' - responsible online behaviour - and reward your child for this.
- respect others online - treat them how you would want to be treated
- only post or write things that you'd be happy for anyone to see
- use appropriate language when chatting or playing games online
- Make sure your child is aware of the types of photos and other content that are appropriate to post online (eg: no photos in a school blazer).
- Think before you send - it can be made public very quickly.

Tips for Safe Internet and technology use:
- Use the tools on the service and turn on in-built internet safety features.
- make sure personal information is secure, eg: on Facebook.
- Keep passwords safe - don't share them with anyone.
- learn how to block someone on a chat service like MSN or how to report abuse to a website or service provider.
- Don't give out personal information, eg school, home address, mobile number.

CYBERBULLYING - WHAT TO DO
Parents worry about bullying. When a child is the target of cyberbullying, it is distressing and they can feel and alone and misunderstood. It is therefore vital that, as a parent or carer, you know how to support your child if they are caught up in cyberbullying:
- Remind your child not to retaliate or reply.
- Keep the evidence of offending emails, text messages or online conversations.
- Block the bully - learn how to block or report

You can help your child to change their contact details (email, online username,
mobile phone number) to prevent further bullying. Denying them access to the technologies is not the answer.

Report cyberbullying
Bullying in any form can make a child feel powerless. To make it stop, report the incident to your child's school, the website or service provider, and, in serious cases, the police (eg, physical threats).

HELP AND ADVICE

ChildLine
Free, confidential helpline for children and young people - 24 hours a days: "Whenever and wherever children need help, we'll be there".

ChildLine 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk

Kidscape
A telephone helpline and website for parents and carers of bullied children. Kidscape also runs assertiveness training courses for children under the age of 16.

08451 205204
www.kidscape.org.uk

CyberMentors
CyberMentors is a safe social networking site providing information and support for young people affected by bullying.
www.cybermentors.org.uk

Parentline Plus
Immediate support and advice for parents, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Email them at parentsupport@parentlineplus.org.uk for a free personalised response in three working days.

0808 800 2222
www.besomeonetotell.org.uk

CEOP
ThinkUKnow is CEOP's online safety centre providing advice and tips for children of all ages and adults about staying safe online. Report inappropriate or illegal activity with or towards a child online to CEOP by clicking on the ‘CEOP Report' button featured on many websites such as BEBO.

www.thinkuknow.co.uk