Pupils being targeted by extremists online in schools, survey suggests

The research suggests that most parents believe that teachers are responsible for educating children about the dangers of certain content on the internet.

The survey found that one in 14 children has been cyber bullied in school, one in 20 has accessed inappropriate content, and one in 33 has been targeted by extremist groups. The research also found that the introduction of online safety education to the IT curriculum last year means that many parents are failing to take responsibility for ensuring their children are properly equipped to safely navigate the internet.

The survey was commissioned by online security company AVG Technologies and reveals that 84 per cent of parents believe it is schools who are responsible for online safety education. Futhermore, the data revealed that 89 per cent of parents do not communicate with teachers regarding their child’s use of the internet away from home.

Despite the survey suggesting that one in 14 children are being cyber bullied, 81 per cent of parents assume their child has not encountered any dangers online at school.

Ofsted’s 2015 Online Safety in Schools Survey has called for schools to do more to encourage communication between teachers and parents. Only nine per cent of primary schools and 10 per cent of secondary schools are known to involve parents in the writing of online safety policies.

Tony Anscombe, senior security evangelist at AVG Technologies, said: “It’s important to remember that children’s learning is not just contained within the classroom.

“While teachers certainly have a big role to play in children’s education, parents must ensure that the same lessons are echoed and reinforced at home. Just as we teach our children to avoid physical dangers – such as in crossing the road – parents must also be mindful of not forgetting to address the digital dangers that can be equally harmful too."

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