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Will the new features help to increase online safety?

This week, TikTok announced the latest app feature designed to support online safety. Parents will now be given tighter control over the app settings. But will this help overcome the problems TikTok has encountered in the past?

Launched in 2016, TikTok is a social media app designed to allow users to create short videos and live broadcast clips, predominantly with a music theme. According to Wikipedia "The app allows users to set their accounts as private, allowing only people they approve to view their content. Users can also allow either everyone or only their friends to send comments or messages to them, and react or duet with them".

However, the app has come under criticism for inappropriate content and bullying. It has also been linked to potentially dangerous internet 'crazes' - the latest of which alleged issues, hitting the headlines in the last 24 hours, using the name 'skull breaker challenge' is just one example.

With the use of TikTok on the rise among the 12 - 15 age group*, it is definitely one to watch. And with the creative potential that the app offers, it has a number of benefits too. So how can we ensure that pupils (and staff) are kept safe when using the app?

Have your say

Have you had any experience of pupils and staff using TikTok in your school? What is your school position on this? What positive outcomes have you seen from talking to pupils about using apps such as TikTok? Let us know your thoughts and suggestions using the comments section below.




*Ofcom - Children and parents: Media use and attitudes report 2019

Childnet Film Competition launched to celebrate Safer Internet Day

The 11th annual Childnet Film Competition is open to all schools and youth organisations across the UK. This year Childnet, a UKSIC partner, is inviting young people aged 7-11 to take on the challenge of creating a short film in response to this year’s theme:

We want an internet where we’re free to…

Last year saw over 120 entries into the competition, and this year we can’t wait to see the films that the young people produce.

Once again Childnet is looking for films that have a clear message about the positive ways young people can use the internet. The challenge for young people is to create a film that tells us what they want from a future internet and what they believe people should be free to be online.

By taking part, young people not only create a film that can educate their peers about how they can stay safe online, the three selected finalists from both the primary and secondary age category will be invited to a private screening at London’s British Film Institute. They will then be presented with great prizes for their school or youth organisation by our prestigious judging panel.

Entering the competition:

There are 4 simple steps to enter:

1. Select the category that you wish to enter on the Film Competition Page. Choose either primary or secondary depending in the age of the young people you work with.
   
2. Download the competition pack, which contains everything you will need, including education resource, film advice and supporting educator guidance.
   
3. Allow time for young people to plan and create their films.
   
4. Submit your film and all consent forms by 3rd June.

Details for submitting films can be found within the packs or on the FAQs page.

Find out more at childnet.com/film-competition

The Film Competition is delivered as part of Childnet’s work in the UK Safer internet Centre, with additional support from the Motion Picture Association and Disney.

Exclusive early access for Safeguarding Essentials members to tootoot’s free Online Safety Plan in time for Safer Internet Day.

As every generation become increasingly tech-savvy, pupils are more exposed to the dangers that the widely unregulated world of technology can pose.

The importance of promoting online safety from a young age has been put into the spotlight recently by the Chief Executive of the Internet Watch Foundation. Susie Hargreaves said that images and videos of girls aged between 11 and 13 that have been groomed, coerced and tricked into performing sexually over webcam is fast becoming a ‘national crisis’ with victims getting younger. These comments also echo the findings from the Childline annual review, which reported a 16 per cent increase of child sexual exploitation counselling sessions.

It is clear that the positive use of technology must be promoted in schools to allow young people to feel safe and empowered to make the most out of their time online. And at tootoot we believe that our award-winning safeguarding app provides an online solution to an online problem. For example, if a young person is being cyberbullied, blackmailed or threatened online they can use their device to take back control, and send a message using tootoot to a designated mentor in their school and begin to get the support they need.

Since tootoot was created over 600,000 children and young people have been able to report anything that may be making them feel unsafe or unhappy, in a discreet and safe way that fits into their digital lives.

Tootoot is giving Safeguarding Essentials members early access to register for the new free Online Safety Plan, that has been developed in time for Safer Internet Day. The plan helps teachers to promote online safety and encourage pupils to speak up about their worries using tootoot.

The free Online Safety Plan will be open to the first 100 schools that register and will include:

• Full access to the award-winning safeguarding software tootoot for six weeks.
• Unlimited virtual staff training and support from our friendly customer support team.

Click here to register before the 14th February.