As a parent and/or teacher you are probably trained to start
forbidding your children from chatting with strangers. Hence, many
teachers are concerned with teaching their pupils not to chat with
strangers, in particular strangers online. While it is easier to
convince younger children not to, teenagers will likely resist a ban on
chatting with online strangers from their life. This situation has to be
handled with diplomacy, with plenty of opportunity to discuss the
issues and inherent dangers without arousing either their curiosity or
sense of rebellion in doing something they have been told not to do.
The following mnemonic might be of SMART help, when talking to your children/pupils: S for “safe”: Be careful what personal information you give out to people you do not know. M for “meeting”: Take precautions when meeting up with
people you have only chatted to online. Tell someone where and when the
meeting is due to take place. Stay in public places and do not agree to
anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. A for “accepting”: Be careful when accepting
attachments and information from people you do not know they may contain
upsetting messages or viruses. R for “reliable”: Always check if information is from someone reliable; remember some people may not be who they say they are. T for “tell”: Always tell a trusted adult if something or someone online is making you worried or upset.
For further information have a look at the SMART Crew guidance and activities, developed by Childnet International.
Sexting seems to be an issue which is constantly in the news. It is
defined as the exchange of sexual messages or images, and creating,
sharing and forwarding sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images
through mobile phones and the internet. Research suggests that sexting
is becoming commonplace in the lives of teens today. The ubiquitous
nature of technology and, in particular, mobile devices means that most
young people have a camera and this means that they can take photos
whenever they want and, sometimes, mistakes can be made. In most
countries, there are legal consequences for sexting and, in most cases, a
naked image of someone under the age of 18 is classed as an illegal
image or a child sexual abuse image.
Schools need to ensure that they provide opportunities for young
people to talk about the challenges that they face online and sexting is
clearly one of them. Actions that should be taken into consideration, include: Ensuring that sexting and the school’s approach to it is understood by everyone and reflected in the child protection policy. Providing opportunities in the school for children and young people to be able to talk about and discuss issues such as sexting. Providing training and updates for staff so that they are aware of the risks and challenges posed by sexting. Providing information for parents as appropriate, and recognise that they are likely to be shocked if they find out their children are involved in sexting.
For further information and advice, have a look at the resources and services of Childline.
In addition, check the guide of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety.
Cyberbullying – also called online bullying – is a
very complex issue. It can be defined as any behaviour that repeatedly
makes someone feel upset, uncomfortable and/or unsafe. This is usually
deliberate, and can take forms such as verbal, indirect and physical.
It can be an extension of face-to-face bullying, with the technology
offering the bully another route for harassing their victim, or can be
simply without motive. It can occur using practically any form of
connected media, from nasty text and image messages using mobile phones,
to unkind blog and social networking posts, or emails and instant
messages, to malicious websites created solely for the purpose of
intimidating an individual or virtual abuse during an online multiplayer
game. Moreover, (cyber-) bullying can also be done through isolation or
exclusion (i.e. someone posts content and no one likes or comments on
it).
Cyberbullying differs from other forms of bullying in several ways:
it can invade the home and personal space of the victim, the potential
size of the audience is much greater, upsetting messages or images can
be spread at great speed, and there is difficulty in controlling and/or
removing anything posted or circulated electronically. Also, because of
its faceless nature, there is often a perceived anonymity to
cyberbullying. This can lead to people becoming involved in activities
that they wouldn't dream of in the real world, whether as the
perpetrator or as a bystander.
How old do you need to be to open a Facebook / Twitter / Snapchat account?
'Why can't I go on Facebook?' - The question many teachers will
face at some point, that's if you haven't already. With the huge number
of social media sites available it can be difficult keeping track of
what your pupils can use and when. Recent figures show that 78 per cent
of children under the age of 13 have at least one social media account,
which is the minimum age restrictions for most social media sites. Even
with age restrictions in place, many children push their parents to open
accounts before they are old enough.
To learn more about the different privacy and safety features of
today's most popular applications, used by children and young people
(and adults), click here.
How should I behave when communicating with other people online?
All online communities have their own codes of behaviour, sometimes
called community guidelines. In eTwinning for example there is a Code
of Conduct for all registered users. It is very important that members
know and follow the netiquette to create a good working climate and
ensure everyone feels safe. In most cases, they are just common-sense
rules, good manners and other good practices normally observed in any
social interaction. However, it is important to take into account that
we are communicating online and we miss very important pieces of
information, like tone of voice, gestures, etc. Therefore, it is very
easy to misunderstand what others say or take words out of context.
Useful references: 1. eTwinning has its own netiquette rules, have a look at the eTwinning Portal. Available here. 2. Take a look at the guidelines and rules of behaviour implemented in some of the most popular online communities nowadays: a. Facebook b. YouTube c.Twitter d.Instagram e. Snapchat 3. Also have a look at the research from Kent County Council. 4. In addition, have a look at the Better Internet for Kids guide to online services,
which aims to provide key information about some of the most popular
apps, social networking sites and other platforms which are commonly
being used by children and young people (and adults) today.
50 years after it was created, the animated cartoon A Charlie Brown Christmas continues to be one of the most loved Christmas films. In this film there are no elves, no reindeer, no Santa. It's just about us.
The Spirit of Christmas Charles Schulz, the creator, wrote a short story about how a meaningful holiday such as Christmas has become so commercialized that it has lost any meaning.
The magic of Christmas now is the kind of magic we create when we pay attention to someone other than ourselves. The film emphasizes the need for hope and love, reminding us that the Christmas season can bring anxiety and a feeling of being alone and unloved for many people.
"I know nobody likes me," sighs Charlie Brown in the animated special. "Why do we have to have a holiday season to emphasize it?"
The Charlie Brown Christmas Tree Charlie buys a sad little Christmas tree for the school play. This tree represents all the world's underfed, unseen, unloved people. However, it can still be rescued.
In fact, with a little love, care and attention, it can truly become something special and even magic.
QUESTION: Watch the short film and learn about one of the most popular idioms about Christmas that comes from the story: "A Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. "
Can you figure out what it means?
Discussion
1. Do you decorate your home for Christmas? 2. Do you put up a Christmas tree? 3. Do you use a real Christmas tree or an artificial tree? 4. Have you ever seen an aluminum Christmas tree? 5. Have you ever acted in a play? What was your character/role? 6. When you were younger did you write a letter to Santa? What was the best gift you ever got for Christmas? 7. Do you think Christmas has become too commercialized? 8. Has Christmas lost it’s true meaning?
Vocabulary Match
1. Charlie Brown thinks __________ a. he is sick b. he feels strange c. he doesn't like Christmas d. something is wrong with him
2. Linus tells Charlie Brown he is the only person who_______ a. can enjoy Christmas b. turn Christmas into a problem c. hates Christmas d. is miserable at Christmas
3. Charlie Brown gets _______ Christmas card(s) a. three b. one c. no d. two
4. Lucy tells Charlie Brown he must pay her ______for advice. a. fifty cents b. five cents c. five dollars d. a dollar
5. Charlie Brown tells Lucy he feels ____________ instead of happy about Christmas. a. let down b. let off c. led to town d. upside down
6. Lucy tells Charlie brown he needs to ___________ Christmas. a. get more involved b. learn more about c. get more information about d. talk to people about
7. Lucy always gets depressed at Christmas because _____ a. she always gets toys b. she always gets clothes c. she never gets what she wants d. she only gets a bicycle
8. Snoopy is planning to have a __________ a. a commercial concert b. Christmas concert c. a light display contest d. a meaning of Christmas contest
9. Charlie Brown is upset with his his sister because ______ a. she wants him to write a letter to Santa b. she asks Santa for money c. she doesn't include him in her list d. she wants too much for Christmas
10. When Charlie Brown starts directing the Christmas play, _____ a. everyone cheers b. everyone listens to him c. no one pays attention d. Snoopy falls asleep
11. In the play, Snoopy will play ______ a. a dog b. all the animals c. an animal d. a donkey
12. When Lucy shows her fist, Linus says Christmas is getting ___________ a. stupid b. commercial c. interesting d. dangerous
13. Lucy is angry at Charlie Brown because he ______ a. didn't see her b. didn't say she was beautiful c. didn't put her in the play d. didn't want a Christmas queen
14. Charlie Brown does not want the play to be _______ a. commercial b. too long c. too boring d. expensive
15. Lucy wants a(n) ______________ a. green Christmas tree b. natural Christmas tree c. aluminum Christmas tree d. expensive Christmas tree
16. Charlie Brown wants the sad little Christmas tree because ______ a. it looks real b. it's green c. it's perfect for the play d. it needs him
17. Linus thinks the sad little Christmas tree _______ a. is beautiful b. is perfect c. isn't modern enough d. isn't pretty
18. When the kids reject Charlie Brown's tree, he says ________ a. nobody likes me b. this play is ridiculous c. what's wrong with me d. everything I do is a disaster
19. Charlie says he knows what Christmas is about. a. False b. No Information c. True
20. Linus tells Charlie Brown Christmas is about a. peace on earth b. an old story from a long time ago c. angels flying around in the sky d. the birth of a saviour
21. When Charlie thinks his tree is dead, Linus says it just ______ a. needs decorations b. needs a little love c. needs a good hug d. needs water
22. When Charlie Brown comes back, the kids _______ a. say they like his Christmas tree b. tell him they like him c. have decorated the tree d. have found a new tree
Further Discussion
1. What did you enjoy most about the film? 2. Why is it that Charlie Brown as well as ourselves feel like we should have a certain type of feeling at Christmas? 3. Why is there more pressure on us to feel happy during the Christmas season than at other time of year? Why is it we feel that there is something wrong with us if we don't feel this way? 4. Studies show that a lot of people get depressed during or just after holidays like Christmas? Why do you think this happens? 5. What should depressed people do about this "depression" or sadness? 6. According to Charlie Browns' friend Linus, what is Christmas all about? 7. Do you think Christmas has become too commercial? Explain. How could they make it more meaningful? 8. Charlie Brown refused to "go along with" (agree with) what everyone else thought was normal when he was sure there was something better or more meaningful available. When is it good to “go along with” everyone around you and when is it better to make your own way?
Every child under the age of 18 has rights. These are things that
allow you to live a full life and allow you to live to your fullest
potential. Every child around the world has the same rights as you. Right: the things that allow children to live to their fullest potential Need: the things that are absolutely necessary for all children to have or be able to do to live a happy and healthy life Want: the things that are nice to have but are not necessary for a full life
On 20 November 1959, the
United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child.[9] The United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child on 20 November 1989 and can be found on the Council of Europe website.[10]The UN General Assembly adopted the Convention and opened it for signature on 20 November 1989 (the 30th anniversary of its Declaration of the Rights of the Child).[6]
It came into force on 2 September 1990, after it was ratified by the
required number of nations. Currently, 196 countries are party to it,[1] including every member of the United Nations except the United States
