School laptops are an effective way to enhance and elevate student learning. When students have unlimited access to technology in education via 1:1 programmes, they can become more active learners, better adapt their learning to their unique learning styles, and gain invaluable digital skills.
For all their benefits, however, they also have their caveats. There are multiple safeguarding issues that schools have an obligation to address, from cybersecurity to cyberbullying and the sharing of inappropriate materials.
Let's take a look at how schools can implement safeguarding initiatives to create a safe digital learning space at school and at home.
In order for a digital safety policy to be effective, it needs to be embodied by every stakeholder, from students to parents to teachers and support staff. Schools must implement regular training programs that enable students to recognise and respond to online risks from cyberbullying to phishing scams and other malware risks. They should also be taught about the sharing of inappropriate materials as well as what information is and is not safe or appropriate to share online.
As well as having access to educational materials and handbooks, students should also enter into a contract of safe use to ensure that they understand the shared accountability to maintain digital safety in and out of school.
Students and staff are not the only stakeholders in schools' digital safety policies. Parents and guardians should also be active participants in digital safeguarding. They should be well informed, with access to the school's digital safety policies, and taught to identify signs that their children may be involved in inappropriate behaviours online.
When parents are actively engaged in schools' digital safety policies, they can reinforce the safe use of digital devices at home and ensure consistent messaging when it comes to staying safe online.
Network security is one of the primary concerns of cybersecurity in education. When students use 1:1 devices in and out of school, this creates substantial network security vulnerabilities. Schools should implement strong network security measures with consistent security protocols, digital security training and specially designed cybersecurity solutions for education.
As well as protecting student data, this can also ensure that the network is reliable and offers performance even at times of peak traffic.
Even with the most thoughtful safeguards in place, errant student behaviour can create new vulnerabilities that damage both students' learning and their general well-being. Invest in digital tools that can monitor students' online activities and identify potential signs of harmful behaviour.
This ongoing vigilance allows schools to identify warning signs in and out of school that might otherwise go unnoticed and take appropriate action.
To find out more about the different options we have for your educational device needs and wants, get in touch with our Easy4u team today!
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