The internet is the greatest tool available to learners, but also one of the greatest dangers.
Today’s educators face a troubling digital dilemma: how to harness the power of technology for learning while safeguarding students from online dangers. Technology is enhancing learning by providing immediate access to information for homework, research, and interactive learning experiences, but it also exposes children to significant risks, including cyberbullying and the potential for them to be exposed to harmful content.
Even though teachers can use certain tools and strategies to provide some protection for children in the classroom, it’s much harder to police their use of social media outside of school hours. More than 95% of children in South Africa have regular access to the internet, but their risky online behavior can expose them to online violence, exploitation, and abuse, according to the 2021 SA Kids Online Study.
Without adult supervision, children may experience or even contribute to cyberbullying, come across content that’s not suitable for their age, encounter strangers with bad intentions, or expose their personal information. Misinformation is another risk; making sure that children have access to reliable information helps them to have a balanced view of the world around them, and staying informed protects them from scams and hoaxes.
SA Kids Online found that:
- 70% of children surveyed use the internet without parental consent.
- 25% confirmed that they have added people whom they have never met face-to-face to their friends or contacts list.
- 18% have sent a photo or video of themselves to a person they have never met face-to-face.
- 67% of child participants who have seen sexual images were exposed to them on an online device.
Be Sensible
The SMART rules can be adopted by all learners:
- S for safe: Keep personal details away from strangers.
- M for meet: Don’t meet people that you know online unless you’re with a trusted adult.
- A for accept: Don’t click any links that you’re unsure about.
- R for reliable: Question the reliability of information. Not everything you see on the internet is true. Check facts with a trusted adult.
- T for tell: Tell your parent, carer, or trusted adult if something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.
Online schools support platforms that offer courses for teachers to improve their understanding of digital safety, which can then be integrated into school curricula and policies. Educators from various countries grapple with similar challenges. By working together, schools, parents, and students can create a more secure online learning environment for everyone.
Safeguarding in education goes beyond mean or harmful text messages to include physical, emotional, and even psychological threats. Awareness of these issues is essential. Equally important is knowing the steps to take if there are concerns about a child’s safety.
Text | Amy Newsome
Photography | Prostock-studio
Amy Newsome is Account Relationship Manager: South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique at the British Council. For more info, go to britishcouncil.org.
