DoubleClick Thinking

Personal Safety on the Internet: Advice to Schools and Education Authorities

Foreword by the Minister

Cathy Jamieson, MSP
Minister for Education and Young People [2002-2003] 

In 1999 SOEID published a booklet titled ClickThinking: Personal Safety on the Internet. That booklet was published in recognition of the potential risks associated with access to the internet.

Since then the use of the internet has increased greatly. That trend will continue with the Scottish Government's Scottish School's Digital Network (SSDN) initiative, which will complement the eventual roll-out of high-quality broadband connections across Scotland's schools. SSDN will create a national intranet for the education community, including features that will enhance internet safety. It will encourage online communication among schools and other participants in the education community and will be a catalyst for growing use of all aspects of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in schools. This increased use of ICT will bring significant benefits to teaching and learning.

We are enthusiastic about the potential benefits these developments will bring, but are also aware of continued public concern over possible risks to our children associated with internet usage. SSDN will therefore operate within a secure, managed environment, with built-in safeguards for all users. As part of this provision, there will remain a ongoing local requirement to manage services and the policies surrounding these.

This website provides revised and enhanced advice to education authorities about minimising the risks associated with internet access. It is designed to complement other governmental and voluntary sector work on internet safety and includes links to related initiatives. It complements the Government's programme of expansion of ICT resources, helping the Government achieve its aim of universal and safe access to the internet in Scotland's schools.

It also fits within the broader system for child protection in Scotland, and emphasises the importance attached by the Government to measures that improve the safety of vulnerable young people.

© Scottish Government Education Department, March 2003