Safeguarding and the Internet

Safeguarding and the Internet

Guidelines for website developers & editors
Guidelines for youth and children's workers
Guidelines for children and young people
Updated online safety commandments

Methodist churches and organisations creating their own website are encouraged to observe safeguarding guidelines

Anyone designing a website for a Methodist church, circuit or district will want to ensure that it promotes opportunities for all ages - including children and young people - to get involved in the life of the church. While it is important to reflect the full mix of participation in church worship and other activities, care should be taken to ensure the safety of children and young people. Website builders are encouraged to follow these guidelines:

Children and young people under the age of 18 should not be identified by surname or other personal details. These details include e-mail or postal addresses, telephone or fax numbers.
When using photographs of children and young people, it is preferable to use group pictures. When a photograph of an individual child or young person is used, surnames or other personal details should not be used in any caption.
Obtain written and specific consent from parents or carers before using photographs on a website. (* see footnote)
Care must be taken when advertising special events for children and young people.

It may be beneficial to encourage enquirers to obtain full details for an event by speaking to a responsible contact person, such as a youth worker or minister. (For example, a notice for a district event might give the type of event, the date, the age group, the town or circuit, but not the specific venue. A church holiday club for children might not give specific times, but might talk about `two hours every morning'. In each case a telephone contact of an organiser/leader is included.)

When posting activity ideas for youth or children's or groups, they should comply with good safeguarding practice.

* Footnote: The office of the Data Protection Commissioner has declared that photographs posted on the internet are personal data. They are therefore subject to data protection legislation.

Those working with children and young people are encouraged to observe safeguarding guidelines when using the web

There may be occasions when church officers, youth or children's workers wish to demonstrate the internet to children or young people, or encourage them to access information online as part of an activity. When this happens, workers are encouraged to follow these guidelines:

Ensure that parents or carers are aware of what their children or young people are doing and have given their permission.
When demonstrations are being given, plan beforehand to ensure that all websites visited have material that is appropriate for the age group taking part.
Where children and young people are given access to undertake their own searches on the internet, the following search engines have been recommended by the Department for Education and Skills :
- KidsClick web search for kids by librarians
- Superkid
- Yahooligans! Web guide for kids

Your nearest Local Education Authority may also operate a local search engine facility appropriate for children and young people.

Where children and young people are being encouraged to undertake subsequent searches on the internet back home, that they do so with the knowledge/supervision of their parent or carer.
Warn children and young people about the dangers of giving out personal details on the net.
Ensure children and young people obtain parental consent if they wish to develop internet friends into face-to-face friendships. Even then, they should always be accompanied on any first meeting.

Internet guidelines for children and young people
Be Net Smart !

Never tell anyone you meet on the Internet your home address, your telephone number or your school's name, unless your parent or carer specifically gives you permission.
Never send anyone your picture, credit card or bank details, or anything else, without first checking with your parent or carer.
Never give your password to anyone, even a best friend.
Never arrange to meet anyone in person without first agreeing it with your parent or carer, and get them to come along to the first meeting, which should always be in a public place.
Never hang around in a chat room or in a conference if someone says or writes something which makes you feel uncomfortable or worried, and always report it to your parent or carer.
Never respond to nasty, suggestive or rude e-mails or postings in Usenet Groups.
If you see something you don't like (eg bad language or distasteful pictures) then move on or click ‘back’. If you are still concerned, talk to your parent or carer.
Always remember if someone makes you an offer which seems too good to be true, it probably is.

These latter guidelines for children and young people are adapted from the NCH paper 'Children on the Net: Opportunities and Hazards' (1998). NCH remains one of the most useful sources for the latest information on internet safety for children and young people.

12 Online Safety Commandments

Remember: people may not be who, or how old they say they are
Never disclose identifying details
Only MSN with people already known in the real world
Never reply to cyber-bullying: block the sender, save the evidence, and tell a trusted adult.
Don’t spend time on websites that make you feel bad about yourself
Set social networking profiles to “private” – and be careful who is added as a “friend”
Set internet security settings as high possible
Never do anything online that could jeopardise your education or your career, or lead to a criminal record
Think of yourself as a role model: what might happen if a much younger child saw your on line profile?
Never respond to spam e mails, dubious competitions or chain letters
Don’t spend too much time online: have “real-world” friends and interests, too
Pray regularly that God will bless and protect your time on line

from: Nicola David: ‘World of danger behind the bedroom door’
Church Times 22 February 2008
Nicola David is the author of Staying Safe Online, Grove Books 2007

General advice on publishing material on the internet