UK Safer Internet Centre: COVID-19 resources

The UK Safer Internet Centre has published a number of articles and resources (in English) on staying safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below you can find them organised by topic.

Date 2020-04-06 Author BIK Team Section awareness
The UK Safer Internet Centre is taking the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of its staff in light of the recent Coronavirus outbreak. You can find a breakdown of each service and how they will continue to operate on the SIC website.

* Please note – resource listings are being added to regularly, so please check back often for the latest information *

  • Positive content and well-being at home

    • Making the most of it - what to do at home? So, you're now spending more time at home – you might be thinking... brilliant! Get the pyjamas on, fill a bowl with chocolate, and settle down for a much-needed movie marathon. While it's good to take some comfort in your new-found home life, snacks and television are likely to get pretty old, pretty quick. It may sound boring but, right now, exploration and challenge could be the best thing to maintain a healthy mind during this period.
  • How to respond to online risks under the COVID-19 pandemic

    • Coronavirus - staying connected and keeping safe at home. Keeping in touch with loved ones and, most importantly, staying safe is important during self-isolation. Hear what professionals from South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL, part of the UK Safer Internet Centre) have to say on the topic.
    • Keeping children happy and safe online during COVID-19. This article is a collection of lots of useful resources and tools that you, as a parent or carer, can use to help ensure that your child is safe and happy online. The tips are broken down into ages and include quick activities, films, and plenty more fun ways to engage with your children. From identifying fake news to online bullying, there is plenty for you and your family to use. It also includes tips on making the most of the internet as a family.
    • SWGfL cybersecurity advice during coronavirus. Cyber criminals are using the public's fear and interest in the COVID-19 pandemic to their advantage. SWGfL has produced some advice to help avoid risks.
    • IWF warning during coronavirus outbreak. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) warns that, with schools being forced to shut, there is an increased risk of children being groomed and coerced online.
    • What is…Houseparty? A guide for parents and carers. Houseparty is an app that many young people are using to stay in touch with their peers and play games during lockdown. Many young people see this app as a fun and exciting way to talk to their friends in a time where they can't speak face to face. This article looks at the features of the Houseparty app and picks out the key things that parents and carers need to know.
    • Video conferencing for children: Safeguarding and privacy overview. Ever considered how your personal data is protected, how children's data is used platforms, or whether there are minimum age requirements? In this page you'll find information about the most popular video conferencing services, compiled by SWGfL. It provides an overview of some of the technical and policy details published by each of the services so that you can more easily determine which might be the most suitable for you.
  • Emergency remote teaching

    • Safe remote learning. Whether your school is closed or not, schools may be considering moving learning online. Here's the lowdown on organising classes online so that safeguards are adequately considered and are trouble-free.
    • Advice on safe remote learning amidst coronavirus. In these unique times, when schools are closed for indefinite periods of time to limit the spread of COVID-19, attention is drawn to strategies that allow learning to continue without the physical geography of school. The broader debate on whether technology should/should not be integrated into learning has been temporarily disrupted to consider how we can use connectivity and devices to sustain education in these unusual days.
    • Working remotely? - advice for professionals and parents from POSH & RHC. As young people spend more time online, now more than ever, online safety is a number one priority. Whether you're a professional now working from home, or a family member now taking on the role of ‘educator', this article brings you information on the full ins and outs.
    • Coronavirus, what you need to know - professionals and parents. So you're probably settled in now – you've got a playlist on the go and the thought of redecorating the lounge has probably entered your mind. But as we enter the world of remote learning, there are some things we need you to know. Now, more than ever, online safety is a number one priority. Whether you're a professional now working from home or a family member now taking on the role of ‘educator', SWGfL has useful information for you.
    • SWGfL donates Whisper to all schools across the nation. Whisper is an anonymous reporting service that provides everyone in the school community a safe place to talk, report or highlight issues and concerns. SWGfL is offering it for free to schools while closures are in effect, to enable them to continue to support their children while working from home, safely.
    • Education professional's guide to remote working. By now, the term ‘remote working' has become commonplace throughout the UK. Most of us have probably already discovered a number of benefits to working from home and are equally working hard to balance home working, home schooling (if you have children), and rest time. Despite this though, there are some things that are good to keep in mind when it comes to your daily work routine.

The UK Safer Internet Centre also provides helpline services allowing children and young people, and parents and carers to access personalised advice and support. Equally, it provides a hotline for reporting any illegal content you mind find online. Don't hesitate to contact them in case of need!

In addition, we'll be bringing you a range of articles and insights on the opportunities and challenges of being online during COVID-19 in the coming days and weeks. Keep checking the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) portal and follow our social channels on Twitter (@Insafenetwork and @SafeInternetDay) and Facebook (@SaferInternet and @SaferInternetDay) for the latest news, information, advice and resources from the Insafe network and from other stakeholder organisations on staying safe online during the coronavirus pandemic.

Discover more resources published by European Safer Internet Centres in a variety of European languages >>

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