Tougher guidelines for schools to tackle online radicalisation

http://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/dec/22/tougher-guidelines-schools-online-radicalisation

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Schools are to be issued with tougher guidelines to protect children from being radicalised online, the government has announced.

Headteachers will be expected to set up appropriate filters and systems to monitor pupils’ internet access on their school computers, according to the Department for Education (DfE), which said it was responding to reports that some children who have travelled or attempted to travel to Syria have learned about Islamic State from classroom computers.

Schools are already bound by statutory guidance covering the welfare of children but the government is going to consult on strengthening this, partly to tackle the risk of radicalisation.

The consultation will also address the need to protect pupils from cyberbullying and pornography. Nicky Morgan, the education secretary, said: “As a parent, I’ve seen just what an important role the internet can play in children’s education. But it can also bring risks, which is why we must do everything we can to help children stay safe online – at school and at home.”

“These measures are delivering on the government’s commitment to keep children safe from harm, as well as providing helpful support and information for professionals and parents so we are all equipped to help protect children in this digital age.”

The initiative was backed by Russell Hobby, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers. He said: “The internet is a powerful tool but also poses obvious risks for children and young people.

“We think schools would welcome greater clarity on how to deploy appropriate filters and monitoring systems and that they will readily fulfil their safeguarding duties in this domain.”

The DfE also said it was publishing two new guides, one for parents and one for social media firms, on keeping children safe online.

It said the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre has produced updated advice for parents on the Thinkuknow website.

The latest move comes just a week after ministers announced a crackdown on unregistered schools. Ofsted was told earlier this month to prepare cases for prosecution against 18 unregistered schools, in a push to stop pupils being exposed to extremist ideology.

It was reported on Sunday that officials are to launch a review into home schooling, amid concerns that not enough is known about how these children are being educated and whether they are safe.