eSafety in Wales
This web page is intended to provide practitioners in Wales with advice and information on eSafety.
The use of ICT is making a powerful contribution to teaching and learning across Wales. Whilst recognising the benefits of technology, it is also important to be aware of the risks and especially to ensure that children and young people know how to use the Internet safely and responsibly. Internet safety - or eSafety - is now a required element of the national curriculum in Wales for learners aged 5 to 14. Practitioners also need to be aware of how eSafety issues affect them in the course of their work.
The Welsh Assembly Government is a member of the UK Council on Child Internet Safety.
Information
eSafety in the Becta ICT Self Review Framework
Dr Tanya Byron's report Safeguarding Children in a Digital Age (March 2008) included a recommendation that: "in all schools, action is taken at a whole-school level to ensure that esafety is mainstreamed throughout the school's teaching, learning in other practices. In particular...Government should encourage schools to use Becta's ICT self review framework assessment to drive continual improvement in schools' use of ICT including with regard to eSafety."
The Welsh Assembly Government is providing grant support through the Better Schools Fund for local authorities to assist their schools to use the Becta ICT Self Review Framework.
Further information on the Self Review Framework
ICT Self Review Framework and ICT Mark
WISE Online - An Internet and Mobile Phone Guide