The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) wants parents, guardians and others to consider data protection and privacy issues in the same way they would check on the safety of presents they are planning to give to their children.

Unlike Santa, those looking to hack into your devices don’t care whether you’ve been naughty or nice, so the ICO has the following advice for grown-ups considering buying smart toys and devices this Christmas:

Research the security of a product before buying

Doing your homework before buying a connected device should allow you to recognise those with poor security. Research online reviews and manufacturers’ websites for information on privacy notices and policies. You should also look to see how a product will be updated in the future if a security issue is identified.

Take care when shopping online

At this time of year, when online shopping is nearing its peak, scammers may be more likely to try to access your personal information such as bank account or credit card details. Only use secure sites when shopping online – secure sites usually carry the padlock symbol. Get Safe Online has advice on how to protect yourself.

Take your time

Don’t wait until Christmas Day, when excited children will want to just turn on a new toy or device and skip as much of the set-up process as they can. Take the time beforehand to read the manual and familiarise yourself with the security and privacy options available to you.

Change passwords and usernames from default

Default passwords and usernames for many devices are freely available on the web. You should always change the defaults immediately and choose a suitably strong password. Use a different password for each account and device. If a device doesn’t allow you to change the default password, you should strongly consider whether it is worth keeping it.

Is your router secure?

Your router is the first line of defence on the perimeter of your home network. If you have devices connected to your network, the default settings of your router might be exposing them to the internet and therefore everyone else. Create a strong password and look out for and install security updates.

If there’s a two-step identification option – use it

Two-factor authentication offers you an additional layer of security when logging in to an online service. While few devices will offer this capability, the website you use to view its data might.

Be camera aware – you never know who’s watching

Some toys and devices are fitted with web cameras. The ability to view footage remotely is both their biggest selling point and, if not set up correctly, potentially their biggest weakness, as the baby monitor hacking issue of a few years ago demonstrated. If you have no intention of viewing footage over the internet, then turn the remote viewing option off in the device’s settings, or else use strong, non-default passwords.

Location, location, location

One of the main selling points of children’s smart watches is the ability for parents to know where their children are at all times. However, if this isn’t done securely, then others might have access to this data as well. Immediately get rid of default location tracking and GPS settings and set strong, unique passwords.

Bluetooth ache

It is not just potentially insecure web connections that can put children‘s online safety at risk. Some toys and devices have been found to have unencrypted WiFi connections or unsecured Bluetooth connections which can be easily accessed by strangers.  If there is no option to secure these in the device’s settings, consider whether using the device is worth the risk. If there is an option to protect them with either a password or a PIN ensure you choose a strong one.

Children have information rights too

Have age-appropriate conversations with children about their online safety, and model the correct way to do this. Children’s information and privacy rights are a key area of concern for the ICO. We are funding independent research into this area, are active members of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety and new legislation coming next year will also strengthen children’s legal rights.

If in doubt, don’t splash out

If you aren’t convinced a smart toy or connected device will keep your children’s personal information safe, then don’t buy it. If consumers reject products that don’t protect them, then developers and retailers should soon get the message. If you’ve purchased a device that you’ve since discovered is insecure, complain to the manufacturer or retailer and see if you can return it.

Have a secure Christmas

By taking some time and care beforehand and following our advice, you can still see a child’s face light up when they open their new, web-connected Christmas present, safe in the knowledge that you are keeping them secure as well as happy.

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 School Council had lots of fun on Friday afternoon putting up the Christmas decorations around school.  The children worked co-operatively and were very creative.  They will also be judging the class decoration competition in the coming weeks.

Over the last year Cliftonville Primary have been working closely with Save the Children on a number of projects, each designed to support our local families. These include Eat, Play and Sleep which encourages the development of a healthy, supportive home in order to positively impact on a child’s development and what they can achieve at school; Families Connect which supports increasing parents’ skills and confidence to support their child’s learning and Take Care which looked at building children’s resilience in everyday life.

Today we were fortunate enough to have a number of benefactors of Save the Children in school including the CEO; vice presidents and trustees of Save the Children, Director of programmes; investors and Natasha Kaplinsky the Save the Children Ambassador. After touring the school where they met with children of all ages, they spoke with staff, learning about the impact of these programmes and our partnership approach that we look to develop. It is hoped that by highlighting the positive impact that these programmes have on our community then further investment would be possible in Thanet to support all Thanet children and their families.

As usual, all our children were polite and courteous with our visitors, obviously proud of their work and their school and wanting to talk about what they were doing at every opportunity.

Everyone, without exception, was massively impressed with our children and the school and we hope to continue our partnership with Save the Children moving forward in this year and beyond.

Cliftonville Primary and Pre-School had lots of fun raising money for Children In Need on Friday 17th November. They held a non-school uniform day with a spotty theme which saw some fantastic outfits made by some very creative grown-ups at home. Staff got involved too and children loved being seen across the road before and after school by a spotty fairy! The children also took part in “Pudsey’s Round Pound Countdown” to find as many old pound coins as possible and raised over £150 this way. The School Council held a competition between classes which was won by 2HT who found a whopping £29! Year 5 hosted the traditional cake sale which was very popular and cakes were also sold on the playground after school. The Pre-School joined in the fun by paying a donation to have their faces painted by members of the team at “Fun Faces By Jodie”. The school raised a total of just over £1000. 

Thank you to children, staff and parents for such generous support of this excellent charity.

We were thrilled to have welcomed the families of nearly 100 children today at our Open day.  Children and their parents were given a tour of the school with senior leaders following a welcome by Mrs Troth, Head Teacher.  Feedback was very positive and lots of children wanted to stay longer!

Children from Cliftonville Primary School have been learning about the importance of Remembrance Day and chose to raise money for the Royal British Legion. Members of the Key Stage 2 School Council sold poppies to staff and children around the school as well as selling other poppy appeal merchandise, such as snap bands and reflectors, after school on the playground. The School Council also decided that they would like to lay a remembrance wreath at the local war memorial to pay their respects. A School Council representative from each year group was voted for and on the afternoon of Friday 10th November, these six children walked to the war memorial at Trinity Gardens and held their own Remembrance Ceremony. Each child played a part – whether it was reading a poem, a prayer or laying the wreath. They also held a two minute silence. All the children involved showed respect and maturity and were a credit to the school.

Children In Need is on Friday 17th November this year and there will be lots of fun fundraising things happening in Cliftonville Primary School that you can get involved in.

There will be a cake sale in the Year 5 classrooms with each class having a time slot to go and buy something. Any shop bought or homemade donations of cakes will be gratefully received! Please send them in with your children on the morning of Friday 17th.

We will be taking part in “Pudsey’s Round Pound Countdown” to find as many old pound coins as possible. These are no longer legal tender and cannot be spent in shops but can be donated to charities. Each class will have a special Round Pound Collection Pot and there will be a prize for the class that finds the most so get looking!

It will be a non-school uniform day on Friday 17th for a donation of £1. School Council have decided on a spotty theme.

Thank you in advance for all your support.

Mrs Mayhew and the School Council

School Direct is a new route into teaching. Whether you have just finished a degree, or have been working in a career for many years School Direct offers a brilliant teacher training opportunity. You will be based in one school in the East Kent area, learning on the job with and alongside outstanding practitioners. Successful completion of a School Direct course with the East Kent Learning Alliance (EKLA ) will lead to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS).

Follow the link below for further information

http://www.ekla.org.uk/itt/school-direct

For more information contact EKLA or speak to Ms Whichcord