Just like when we are crossing the road we have to do the safe cross code, and now our friends at Webwise, have created a code for the online world - it'd time to STOP, THINK and CHECK.
Watch the video all about it at the top of the article!
Safer Internet Day, celebrated this year on Tuesday, 8 February, is an ideal time start a conversation with children about their use of the internet and digital media and promote safer and responsible engagement in the online environment.
The new online safety education programme; HTML Heroes: Welcome to the Internet, has been designed for teachers of 1st and 2nd class to introduce children to using the internet safely, communicating online, playing and learning online, and getting help and support.
You can get all the resources and information below:
1st and 2nd HTML Heroes Class Programme – HTML Heroes (webwise.ie)
The centrepiece for each lesson is a short illustrated story featuring the HTML Heroes, Ruby and Archie, as they navigate the online environment.
The first lesson - "Welcome to the Internet" guides children through the first steps of accessing the internet, and potential uses of the internet through the supporting short story, Dolly and the Internet, while highlighting how it is just as important to stay safe in the online world as it is the offline world.
Lesson 2: Searching Online aims to help children establish safe searching practices and develop their critical thinking skills by encouraging them to question what they see on the internet using the accompanying short story, Jimmy the Jigsaw Piece.
Lesson 3. Playing and Learning Online demonstrates how the internet can be used to learn, create and play. The supporting short story, Andy Ambulance Loves Castles, also introduces children to the commercial aspects of the internet and reinforces the key messages to stop, think, check before downloading an app or playing a game online.
The story of Andy the Ambulance!
In Lesson 4. Chatting Online explores different forms of online communication and promotes the concept of being safe, kind and respectful when communicating online using the short story: Dolly Video Calls her Granny.
Here's another story with Dolly!
Finally, Lesson 5. My Time Online allows children to consider the importance of maintaining a healthy balance of online and offline activities and helps them develop good habits to manage their time online through the accompanying short story, Archie and the Two-Headed Lizard King.
Supporting Parents/Guardians on Online Safety
The new resource also involves parents and encourages home school links with each lesson featuring a take-home handout for parents with a lesson summary of what their child has learned and further online safety advice from Webwise on the relevant topic. Promoting home-school links is important as it enables parents to talk about online safety and help their children to have positive experiences online.
For Safer Internet Day 2022, Webwise is encouraging families to #TalkListenLearn and to talk regularly about the benefits and the challenges that children encounter online.
Webwise is the Irish internet safety awareness centre and you can find out more HERE!
