Click here to access resources to support families with safety settings on their devices.
Snapchat’s newest feature “Meet up” adds an extra layer to their existing Snap Map feature by allowing users to get directions to their friend’s exact location. It pairs with Apple Maps and Google Maps, and shows how long it would take someone to walk, drive, or use public transport to reach the address. Anyone can then find the location of your workplace, school, or home address and the fastest route to get there.
Whilst this feature can be very useful for family and friends, it does add a significant risk factor. We would recommend that Snapchat Maps are disabled on the app, they are on by default. This is known as ghosting.
There is some excellent advice about Snapchat maps and the dangers of “Meet up” here
Here’s how to change settings in Snapchat
Last year SWGFL joined forces with TikTok for their ‘Exploring Media Literacy’ event which brought together an array of expert speakers who explored the latest information, guidance and resources around the event.
They are once again partnering with TikTok to host a free ‘Understanding Digital Wellbeing’ event on Wednesday 13th July, which will explore how professionals, teachers, parents and carers can support younger age groups to develop positive digital wellbeing. They will guide you through the latest supportive resources and guidance that will increase your knowledge around the subject.
Alongside this, TikTok will be providing information about their new global digital wellbeing research project.
There will also be exclusive insights from ProjectEVOLVE to help you to further understand its impact.
In the run up to the event you can also visit their new Digital Wellbeing hub to access exclusive resources and guidance which explore a range of factors that impact many younger age groups.
We live so much of our lives online that interpreting what we see – online media literacy – has become a vital life skill.
The government published its Media Literacy Strategy last year, recognising that children and young people need media literacy education.
Media literacy is something parents, teachers and professionals can all teach, both in everyday interactions and in a more structured way.
So what exactly do you need to know to teach media literacy? What elements of the online world should you cover? Find answers, and lots of free resources, here: Online Media Literacy: what is it – and why should we teach it?
Teaching online media literacy to children with SEND often calls for a range of different approaches.
The government has funded Parent Zone to develop specific media literacy resources for this group.
We’ve worked with teachers, drawing on their expertise to create a free, specialist online resource library.
The PZ SEND site includes specially adapted lessons, activities, worksheets, videos, and guidance on how to adapt them – along with feedback, ideas and best practice from other SEND teachers.
CPD
We still have places on Teach Computing in Y5 course on Thursday, let me know if you have anyone you wish to come to it. The other course still to start is the Teach Computing in Y6 – which is on May 12th. Again, let me know if anyone wants to attend.
Piracy Advice
If children and young people want content that is unavailable to them, they may take to search engines at home or at school that some filters may not pick up. Streaming or downloading from illegal sites can expose them to viruses, age-inappropriate content and disturbing pop-ups. Learn more about the issue from Internet Matters by clicking here.
Munchausen by Internet
VoiceBox (a youth-lead organisation) investigated a new digital phenomenon, faking certain health disorders on social media. They uncovered a complex and troubling issue. Read their report here.
Vampire Devices
With the hike in energy costs now could be the time to think about what devices we leave plugged in or on standby that are slowly using power and adding to costs. British Gas say games consoles left on standby work out at an average of £12.17, while computers could cost about £11.22 per year. Read the BBC report here. It might be time to rethink the way we use our devices at home and school, and unplug instead of putting on standby.
Just to make you aware, we have had a couple of reports of instances of a new craze in KS1 playgrounds in South Tyneside. Huggy Wuggy Bear! The character is part of an adventure game available in the google play store. The age range is Teen, but the game is based in a Toy Factory and has some appeal to younger children.
Of course the craze has gone viral on Tik Tok and other social channels. In the playground it seems to be manifesting as “jump, scare” games. There is also a video on You Tube with some questionable lyrics, which is being sung in schools.
South Tyneside’s Spring Holiday Club programme is here! Free places are available for children and young people in South Tyneside, aged 5-16, who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals or from a family currently experiencing hardship.
The programme offers a range of fun activities for children and young people to enjoy with their families, including dancing, games, crafts, sports and outdoor challenges, along with nutritious meals at each event.
Booking is essential for events. For more information and to sign up, visit: www.southtyneside.gov.uk/holidayclub
#HAF2022 #SpringHolidayClub
All events are subject to availability.
Coding skills
Modding can be a gateway to coding and programming – it could be the first step towards a career in game development. It’s a great way for your child to let their imaginations run wild while honing the coding skills they may have begun to learn in school. But…
Dangers of Mods
The biggest concern around mods is the possibility of adult, explicit or age-inappropriate content being added to a game. For example, one of the most common modifications is to sexualise a (usually female) character’s appearance or simulate sexual activity. These are not picked up by the games PEGI ratings and can be disturbing when young children find them.
Mods are sometimes accessed by “downloadable content”. Accessing content in this way could leave your device exposed to malware or viruses. XBox also warns that personal data may be exposed or accessed by the mod’s creator.
