"Expertise" on the internet. Are the e-safety resources helpful, empowering or aimed at shock/fear?

This weeks episode features a fabulous guest Rebecca Avery, it is a stunningly jam packed conversation encompassing many of the latest trends and e-safety buzzwords that turn many people off. No fear though as we don't actually name any of them,. What we do cover is; The Online Harms white paper (very briefly), Meme's (Article 13 and whether copyright will remove these), "that" viral trend of recent times. We reflect on the e-safety advice and how the Education sector can often get caught up in myths and scare stories, however this can often be driven by fear. We reflect on what often happens in Education and how e-safety can be driven by assembly based 'lessons' and one time interventions and how these may not work effectively as the Education sector relies on the 'expertise' of visitors who may frighten the children, parents and staff. We discuss how critical thinking needs to be applied to those professionals who claim to be 'experts' in their field and how resources in this area need to be evidence based and peer reviewed so that we can do better in our education of children and help them. We reflect on why shock tactics do not work and how we can empower young people, rather than present 'style over substance' (well said Rebecca!). This leans into the 'commercialism' of certain resources and how these can err on the side of 'shock', 'fear' and the 'Just say No' approach...or perhaps an ego boost?

In short do you critically think about any resources you use or support? Are we barking up the wrong e-safety trees? Is the e-safety message overlapping and hiding the conversational content that could yield so much more learning for both child and adult? How do you assess anything you read or watch online? Have you ever taken a step back to do so?

This episode will be great for Teachers, Professionals and Parents alike.

Do share this episode and perhaps share with people who take things at face value online. Challenging our thinking is the way to open our minds to new information and this enables us to create more conversations. As always, thank you for listening, I appreciate all of you who do and thank you to those of you who get in touch to let me know how this helps you and your children. I am really honoured to have your feedback. Please do leave a review on iTunes and let's empower ourselves to do better and help our children!