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New technologies are central to modern life.

They...

• enable people across the world to have instant communication with one another;
  
• allow for the rapid retrieval and collation of information from a wide range of sources;
  
• provide a powerful stimulus for creativity; and
  
• allow people to discuss sensitive topics which, face to face, they might find difficult.
  

However, these technologies are also potentially damaging...

• They can give access to harmful and inappropriate materials and, because of the anonymity offered, vulnerable individuals may be harmed or exploited.

The Government commissioned a number of studies into the risks that learners face when using the internet and video games. The reports recognised the advantages of new technologies and the ease and confidence with which children, young people and adult learners use them.

At the same time, the reports emphasised that

"children, young people and adult learners do not always have the knowledge, skills and understanding to keep themselves safe."

They highlighted the need for the Government to 'empower learners' and raise the skills of learning provider staff and other stakeholders by...

• delivering eSafety through the curriculum;
  
• providing teachers/assessors/verifiers/tutors etc., and the wider learning provider’s workforce with the skills and knowledge they need; and
  
• taking steps to ensure that the Common Inspection Framework holds the system to account.

The animated interview below, based upon an Ofsted report, puts this into context...

Take some time to consider the questions raised at the end of the animation.

Remember: Ofsted reports on...

• how learning providers respond to e-safety in the self-evaluation form that they are invited to complete before an inspection;
• internet safety (eSafety) training within the learning provider organisation; and
  
• the extent to which learning providers teach their learners to adopt safe and responsible practices in using new technologies.