Introduction
This guide will consider online safety in relation to a range of departmental responsibilities while exploring some of the protocols and practices which should be in place in a school environment.
Schools have a duty of care to their student body. This includes digital safety - from ensuring your school has appropriate firewalls and data governance in place, to digital citizenship. The pandemic has highlighted online safety far more than ever before and shone a spotlight on the need for safe and secure IT systems within schools.
School inspections include a focus on the school’s technology including how it is used to support the curriculum; how technology supports students’ wellbeing and how technology facilitates student progress out of the classroom (for example, University/College admissions).
The international school environment is global, with schools in many countries each having their own laws and regulations. Individual schools must ensure that they comply with local legislation as well as the requirements of their accreditation bodies.
Globally, the majority of countries have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Article 17 of the UNCRC explains the right for children to have access to information via the media in a safe way. Article 29 explains the areas of information a child has a right to learn about: human rights, family & identity, their environment, respecting the values of individuals in the country in which they live and how to interact with tolerance when communicating with other individuals. Nevertheless, even countries that signed the convention implement it to varying degrees and many schools are located in contexts which make it challenging to safeguard students.
Access to the internet places children at risk of online grooming and exploitation. This is a global concern and one on which a number of international agencies collaborate. ICMEC (International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children) works globally in 120 countries providing advice, resources and support to Government entities, NGOs, law enforcement and families. Together with the International Taskforce on Child Protection, they have delivered training for educators on the challenges access to the internet can pose.
On a national level, schools should make themselves aware of national legislation and policy for keeping students safe. As a school, are you aware of your responsibilities? Below are links to examples from around the world:
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