Online Safety Agreement

We recognise the risks from online activity, especially to international students under 18.

The aim of this document is to:

• Clarify and get agreement to limits of online access.
• Help students and parents understand UK laws around online behaviour and to understand safeguarding culture in the UK.

For students under 18 the companion document must be seen and signed by their parents/guardian/agents.

Click here to see student's form.

Statement

• The internet is a powerful tool giving great opportunities to everyone. Most things about the internet are good; some are not so good.
• This agreement aims to keep students under 18 years old safe online when they join a course at OXSS. We have online safety measures (including filters, passwords and monitoring online activity) to help protect students.
• All students under 18 years old need to be responsible online, use the internet legally and follow these rules.

Acceptable Use Agreement

I will be responsible in my online behaviour whilst on a course at OXSS. I will not do anything online that might risk:

• My own safety.
• The safety of other users connected to the school (including students, staff, staff at a residential venue).
• The safety and security of OXSS’ or other users’ systems.

My safety

• I understand OXSS will monitor my online behaviour during online lessons and the schools intranet.
• I will not share my username or password, or use another person’s username or password.
• I will be aware of ‘stranger danger’ online and not share personal information (including contact details) about myself or others online.
• I will not meet anyone offline who I have met online unless I have a member of staff with me.
• I will report immediately to staff any unpleasant or inappropriate material or messages that make me feel upset or unhappy.
• I will not accept friend requests or communicate with anyone that I haven’t met offline (in real-life) previously while studying at OXSS.

Proper (legal) online activity and school rules

• I will only use personal devices (mobile phones, USB devices, tablets etc) and school devices at times allowed in the school rules.
• I will not create, access (download or upload), share or store any illegal or inappropriate material using my own or OXSS’, or any other equipment while on the course at OXSS.
• Illegal and inappropriate online material/activity include:
• Gambling,
• pornography,
• age-rated games/films,
• websites or games showing violence,
• any sort of extremism or being unkind to others (intolerance) based on race, religion, disability etc,
• harassing or bullying others through audio or written messages, memes, pictures or photographs,
• sending or receiving words or pictures about sex, including naked pictures of yourself or others,
• accessing and not paying for music and films that are protected.
• I will not install or store programmes on OXSS devices or other users’ equipment that will alter or affect that equipment.

My behaviour

• I will act as I want others to act towards me.
• I will not access, copy, remove or alter other people’s or OXSS’ online materials or settings without their permission.
• I will not clone phones or online profiles of others in order to gain trust or act dishonestly towards OXSS students, staff or members of the public.
• I will be polite when I communicate with others online. I will not use unkind, angry or bad language in texts, emails or any other online messages.
• I will not take, send or share on social media, pictures of anyone without their permission.

I am responsible

• I understand that I have broken the OXSS rules if my online behaviour does not follow this agreement and that I can be disciplined. If it is a serious (for example breaking a UK law) I might be sent home and/or the police might be contacted. In some circumstances it is possible the police in my home country could be informed.
• This agreement includes my time in OXSS and away from OXSS for the duration of the course, particularly my behaviour to other members on the course.

Student signature (to be completed via a separate form)

• I understand this agreement and that it is important.
• I will follow it when using OXSS’s equipment, equipment in the residential centre and my own equipment (including phones, cameras, all other technology equipment) at all times during the course.

Parent/guardian/agent signature (to be completed here)

• I understand this agreement and have helped my child understand his/her responsibilities and the importance of acting safely and legally online.
• I accept that this agreement is part of the OXSS rules for students under 18 years old.