Be Aware 

TikTok

TikTok is a social media video app that allows users to create short videos (between three and 15 seconds long). It has 500 million active users, putting it ahead of Twitter and Snapchat.  It is possible for users to make longer looping videos (up to 60 seconds) by stringing multiple clips together; there are also features such as slo-mo, graphics and filters. Read more about it here.

Tellonym

We have been made aware of the potential dangers associated with the use of the app “Tellonym” (a play on the words “Tell on him”)

The app is available as a free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play store and is not regulated. It can be used with snapchat, instagram and other similar social media sites.

Tellonym advertises itself as “ the most honest place on the internet. See what your friends think of you, answer anonymous questions and ask others the things you have never dared …”
In fact this allows anonymous posts, pictures and messages which can be indecent, abusive, bullying and distressing to children.

Please be aware of the dangers of the use of the application by your child.

Mobile Apps parents should watch out for on their child's phone

Lancashire Police have launched a new campaign warning parents about 15 apps that can be used on mobile phones.

MOMO- What is Momo?

'Momo' is an image of a scary, doll-like puppet. It's been reported that:

• Anonymous individuals are adding children and young people on Facebook and WhatsApp (an instant messaging service), using the image of Momo as an avatar
• The user then encourages young people to do 'challenges', some of which can be dangerous or frightening, and tells them not to tell other members of their family what's happening
• The image has apparently also been spliced into YouTube videos, such as those about Peppa Pig or Mickey Mouse

It's a hoax.

At the moment there's only anecdotal evidence, and no reports from official sources that the 'Momo challenge' has led to children harming themselves.

• Police haven't reported any instances of children harming themselves due to the 'Momo challenge'
• Samaritans said it was 'not aware of any verified evidence in this country or beyond' that it's linked to self-harm
• A YouTube spokesperson also told the Guardian that it 'had not received any evidence of videos showing or promoting the Momo challenge on YouTube'

The ensuing media coverage may, however, be harmful and frightening to young people.

Where did it come from?

The image itself is a sculpture that originally featured in a Japanese gallery, and has nothing to do with the current 'Momo challenge'. 

The 'Momo challenge' originally gained attention in July last year, and resurfaced this month when a Facebook post from a concerned parent went viral (it was shared thousands of times). It's since been covered by several news outlets. 

What are we doing as a school?

• The Designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) are monitoring the behaviour of pupils who they feel may be particularly affected by suggestions of self-harm or suicide
• We will notify parents/carers and share information about Momo with pupils as and when needed. At the same time we are being careful not to scaremonger or peak interest in the issue further by proactively sharing the image or story with pupils or parents
• We are aware that the image, and surrounding media coverage, might still be frightening to children. If you personally view the image please report directly to the social media platform itself if you see anything to do with Momo, and don't forward it on anywhere
• We are using this opportunity to remind parents and pupils about online safety. Individuals or groups may jump on the bandwagon and create their own versions of the 'Momo challenge' as pranks. We are reminding pupils to speak to a trusted adult if they see anything unsettling online
• See our Device Safety link for more useful information about device settings

 

Know your phrases/acronyms/hashtags/secret code words

Police have released a list of acronyms, secret code words, hashtags and phrases that could be placing teenagers in danger online. 

Officers claim youngsters use them to discuss and discover topics related to self-harm, eating disorders, bullying and drug-taking.

The list was first published on Nottingham Live to mark Safer Internet Day, with children's charity NSPCC urging parents to remain vigilant - and keep an eye out for clear 'red flags' when their child is online.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "One of the best ways for parents to keep their children safe online and spot risks is to open up conversations about their online lives.

"It is important for parents to keep up-to-date with the type of content, features and risks, as well as know the minimum age of the sites and games their children are using.

"Particularly, when we know one in four young people have been contacted over social media by an adult they don't know, with a third of these children 13 and under."

1. Warning Flags

#ana - anorexia

#deb - depression

#sue - suicide

#svv - self-harming behaviour

#thinsp - thinspiration (photos or messages that inspire an effort to become thin)

9 - a parent is watching

420 - marijuana 

ASL - age, sex, location

CD9 - parents are around 

Crow - cannabis

CU46 - see you for sex

Daddy - can mean a partner who takes good care of you affectionately  or  someone with great influence and power over you

Down in the DM - short for plans in their social media or texts for an upcoming sexual hook-up

F2F  or  FTF - face to face

FWB - friends with benefits

FYEO - for your eyes only

GNOC - get naked on camera

Hooking up - having sex 

"I know a way you can earn money fast" - a possible way of asking for photos/webcam access or a way to get information to blackmail a young person

"I know someone who can get you a modelling job" - a possible way of asking for photos and flattering the young person

IRL - in real life

IWSN - I want sex now 

"Let's go private" - leave the public chatroom and create a private chat or move to instant-messaging/texting

LMIRL - let's meet in real life

KPC - keep parents clueless

Merked - really drunk  or  beaten up  or  getting found out  or  getting told off

MIRL - meeting in real life

Molly - ecstasy/MDMA

MOOS - member of the opposite sex

MOS - mum over shoulderMoving to (someone) - approaching, either aggressively or romantically

Netflix 'n Chill - to meet under the pretence of watching Netflix/TV together when actually planning to meet for "making out" or sex

NIFOC - naked in front of computer

NSFL - not safe for life

NSFW - not safe for work

P911  or  P999 - parents are watching

POS - parents over shoulder

Pre-ing - pre-drinking

RU/18 - are you over 18?

Sket - insulting term used towards girls

Smash - to have casual sex

Swipe right - term of approval derived from dating app Tinder

Thirsty - being desperate for something

Trolling - fooling someone - often used when people are commenting nasty abuse online

Wavey - drunk or high

"Where's your computer in your house?" - possibly a way of checking to see if parents might be around

"Who/What's your favourite band/designer/film/gear?" - possibly a way of trying to get to know more so that they can offer gifts

Wired - drug induced paranoia

WYRN - what's your real name?

"You are the love of my life" - possibly a way of flattering a young person and creating an emotional bond with them"

"You seem sad. Tell me what's bothering you" - possibly a way of expressing sympathy and inviting them to share personal information

Zerg - to gang up on someone.

2. Terms to keep an eye on

4eae - for ever and ever

ADN - any day now

AF - as f***Aired - ignoring someone

"Are you parring me?" - are you showing me disrespect?

B - babe (can be just a friend)

Bae - short for "baby" and used as a term of endearment for a significant other such as a boyfriend or girlfriend. Short for "before anyone else"

Basic - lacking originality

Begfriend - someone who sucks up to someone else

BFN - bye for now

BOL - be on later

Bookie - weird  or  disgusting

Booted - left behind  or  dumped

Butters - ugly person

Bye Felicia - dismissive term when you want an annoying person to go away

Curve - to reject someone romantically

Dime - someone who is extremely good looking

DM - direct message

Ghost - ghosting someone is to completely ignore someone suddenly, usually as a nasty way of breaking up with someone

GLHF - good luck, have fun

HT  or H/T- heard through

HAK - hugs and kisses

IANAL - I am not a lawyer

ILY  or ILU - I love you

IU2U - it's up to you

IYKWIM - if you know what I mean

J4F - just for fun

JIC - just in case

J/K - just kidding

Kicked - left behind

Low key - a warning that what they're saying isn't something they want everyone to know

NAGI - not a good idea

OH - overheard

PAP - post a picture

Peng  or  tidy - really attractive

Preeing - looking at someone online (also know as "Facebook stalking")

PTB - please text back

QQ - crying

RL - real life

Salty - to be bitter about something or someone

Ship - relationship  or  to admire a couple (such as 'I ship them')

Sip tea - to mind your own business

Skurt - go away or leave

Slept - to knock someone out

Slipping - messing up

Stacked - built, really muscly, toned

Swag - confidence  or  fancy clothes/jewellery

SWAK - sealed with a kiss

SWYP - so what's your problem?

TBR - to be rude

Throw shade - to give someone a nasty look or say something unpleasant about them

TIME - tears in my eyes

TMB - tweet me back

VSF - very sad face

WTH  or WTF - what the heck?

WTPA - where's the party at?

WYCM - will you call me?

WYSIWYG - what you see is what you get

YGM - you've got mail

YOLO - you only live once