E-safety for high schools project

Abstract

Purpose – Greenford High School has been successful in their bid to John Lyon's Charity for their “E-safety for high schools” project to safeguard and educate young people from the increasing risks emanating from new technologies and the internet. The paper aimed at addressing the significant gap in e-safety provision across schools, the project will enable this school in West London to share and replicate their innovative model of good practice – recently commended by the Ealing Health Improvement Team – with three high schools as part of a three-year training and development programme. Design/methodology/approach – This paper aims to provide some background to the project and outline its unique holistic and multifaceted approach to managing e-safety and cyberbullying, within the context of a broader social, behavioural and educational model rather than the narrowly defined ICT context within which it is traditionally perceived. Findings – E-safety is a whole school issue and can only be effectively addressed through collective critical thinking and a social, cultural and educational approach. Originality/value – This e-safety project is unique in promoting the opportunities afforded by technology through harnessing the positive role of the bystander and addressing e-safety through a broader, social model and multifaceted approach.