Every week e-safety adviser Alan Mackenzie sends me weekly updates. They are useful teaching resources but also parent guides to keep you up to date with current trends.
Here are a few tips from this week’s updates:
WhatsApp Account Takeover Scam
Another month, another WhatsApp scam. This time criminal gangs are managing to get into chat groups, particularly groups where there are large numbers of people, meaning that no-one knows everyone. From there they will target individuals in the group by telling them that a code is on its way to them which they need to share. For example, a student chat group was infiltrated by someone pretending to be their university lecturer and he asked them all to share their code so that they could join a group call. At that point, the criminal gang now has control of your personal WhatsApp account and will be able to message others asking for money.
Whilst it can be difficult to get your head around some of these scams the message is simple. Regardless of how old you are, regardless of how much you trust that person, never ever share passwords or passcodes.
Tips to Promote Positive Body Image
Concerns around social media influence in particular and the negative effects of this influence on body image for girls and boys have been around for years. In the age of generative AI this can only increase. My social feeds are awash with photorealistic images and they’re all the same: so-called perfect body, composition, beauty. There’s nothing in the way of different body shapes, diversity in people of colour etc. Simply speaking, AI can be very biased.
Internet Matters have some great, practical advice for parents about self-image, body image and identity which you can find HERE.
