Issue 14

Welcome to our fourteenth ALNS safeguarding bulletin where we are hoping to share with you the latest knowledge, tips, and support services for various issues in order that we can work together to keep your children safe.  Each bulletin will focus on a different area of safeguarding.

Key focus – Online Safety - AI

What is AI and what do children use it for?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving and decision making.

A recent BBC report has asserted that studies show a huge number of parents have no idea what their children are doing with AI.  The vast majority use it for research, helping with school work or for entertainment (creating cartoon picture for example).

However, the Youth Endowment Fund have also found that more than half (53%) of teenage children say they’ve used some form of online mental health support in the past year, with 25% using AI chatbots. Even more worryingly, those affected by serious violence — whether as a victim or perpetrator — are far more likely to seek help this way (90%).  The supposed anonymity here is a key reason as well as the difficulty in securing real life mental health support.  Of course, AI  is also available as emotional and social support 24/7.

Whilst AI is not to be feared and is a part of modern life, the risks are clear – misinformation, a lack of real life support for real life issues and an over reliance on a chat bot for social support leading to a potentially more insular life and further increasing screen addiction and associated issues.

AI generated nude images – a special mention!

Deepfake and indecent images being made by children of other children using AI are on the rise in schools across the UK and can have huge and lasting effects on both the perpetrator and the victim.

These images can be made in order to bully, seek revenge or target individuals but there has also been a rise of indecent images being created amongst friends as a “joke” and then shared with little to no understanding that creating, possessing, or distributing AI-generated indecent images of children is a criminal offence in the UK.  As a school we have a duty to report them to the police and have done so on more than one occasion.  

However, it is important to note here that  the law is intended to protect children and not criminalise them. If a young person is reported to the police for sharing or creating an image, the police will make an internal record but depending on the circumstances they may decide not to take any formal action. 

In School support

·  If your child would like to speak to an adult about any concerns around online safety – they can speak to one of the Designated Safeguarding team, led by Mrs Holness as a first port of call (see their planner or ask reception for details of other safeguarding staff) but are also welcome to chat to ANY member of staff they feel most comfortable with, who will then seek advice from the team.

·  If you think your child might need emotional well being or mental health support, please contact your child’s Head of House, Tutor or Tracey Linn (who leads on our emotional support in school – [email protected]).  We also have small team of staff who offer in-house ELSA and/or emotional support short term programmes and can also signpost to outside agency support where needed.

how can you support your child to be safe online?

tips to support your children

be curious!

Have an open policy re checking their phones for concerning content, keep phones out of bedrooms overnight. This will have the additional benefit of supporting good sleep.  When sleep happens, it causes brain activity in the part of the brain that regulates emotion, so if you want a calm, well-regulated child – they need to get good quality sleep!  They learn better and experience much better physical and mental health after a good night’s sleep.

connect!

Encourage critical thinking - take opportunities to discuss misinformation, disinformation. algorithms and the law around online safety – including creating and sharing AI images – which many think is just “a laugh between mates”.  Remind your children about privacy rules – not to share personal information with AI tools.  The NSPCC website (see below) is very good here and also has advice on parental controls that might be appropriate to explore.

Help them understand the online safety act and their rights online.

Take a look at our school website – there is a whole section on mental health: Mental Health - Admiral Lord Nelson School - Dare to Dream, Aim to Achieve (alns.co.uk)

If you have any concerns you want to discuss at school please contact your child’s tutor, their Head of House or the Designated Safeguarding Lead – Mrs Holness.