For many adults, part of the challenge when considering safety for children and young people online is the gap between these children’s knowledge of the technology and their own lack of understanding, knowledge and skills relating to the online world.
“The whole of the technology scares the life out of me. How do I set it up so that it is safe?” (Mum of 5 and 7 year old)
Safer Children in a Digital World: The Report of the Byron Review, 2008 DCFS
You may feel more comfortable talking to children and young people about online risks and safety if you first learn more about the technologies yourself.
Over the last two decades, the internet has evolved to become a dynamic and interactive medium. The convergence of technical and communication platforms and services means that users can interact with each other across multiple platforms and devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, games consoles and PCs.
Social networking and user interactive services represent a significant shift in the evolution of the internet. The evolution is now frequently referred to as ‘Web 2.0’. Simply put:
- ‘Web 1.0’ was characterised by static websites, download of content use of search engines, and surfing from one website to the next.
- ‘Web 2.0’, which is headed up by social networking services such as Facebook and Twitter, represents a fundamental shift away from this model and offers a more dynamic and interactive internet.
These technologies and tools can include all or some of the following:
- search
- email
- messaging and chat
- blogs
- gaming
- discussion forums
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
- photos
- music and videos.
Further information:
For more information on various technologies, including the benefits and risks associated with their use, visit :
Childnet International
Childnet's Know IT ALL
Teach today website