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Guidelines offer net safety advice to schools
03-08-2006
by Charlie Taylor

Post-primary schools have been advised not to publish class lists on websites in order to safeguard pupils.

This is just one of the guidelines outlined by the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin as she announced the publication of a number of policy templates on Wednesday.

These templates, which cover areas such as substance use and anti-bullying, also include guidance on implementing an acceptable use policy for pupils and staff using the internet in schools.

The acceptable use policy template was originally developed by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) for inclusion in its 2002 publication "Be wise on the Net: Information and Advice for Schools". However, it has now been specifically tailored for use by post-primary schools.

Among the guidance given is advice on browsing the internet, downloading e-mail, using chatrooms and developing a school website.

"Child protection is a major concern for everyone within the education sector. Schools have a particularly important role in providing their students with high standards of care in order to promote their well being and protect them from harm. For example, this week's survey on internet usage amongst our young people outlined hidden dangers for those accessing and communicating through the web," said Minister Hanafin.

"Access to 'social networking sites' is blocked in schools to prevent time wasting. But with increasing numbers of people using ICT and the web it is vital that schools draw up and commit users to an acceptable use policy along the lines of the policy template," the Minister added.

The department is advising any school interested in developing a website to define what is appropriate for publication. It also suggests that schools should never publish class lists or show the names of students next to their photographs on the internet. In addition, it urges educational establishments to seek permission from parents to publish student work, photographs, video or audio clips online.

When it comes to using e-mail the department recommends using class-based e-mail addresses in order to give students a degree of anonymity.

It also advises schools to educate pupils to stay in the public area of chatrooms rather than engaging in one-to-one conversations with other users. Moreover, it says that students should be aware of the need to report online bullying or receipt of illegal material immediately to the teacher supervising online chat sessions.

Guidance is also offered in other areas including netiquette and use of newsgroups and discussion forums.