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Original poster

Questionable search history from staff member

85 replies

CelticMirror · 04/08/2023 07:49

Please help if you can!

NC for this one.

Shared laptop at our club, which is used at times by the teenagers if we are running a show or concert.

One of the adult staff members leaves his internet search engine account logged in.

I was using the laptop a couple of days ago and found that porn sites come up in the search bar history. I know this isn't being accessed from the club laptop (it's linked to his G account) but I am very, very uncomfortable that one of the kids might have seen this. We have kids as young as 12.

I gently notified the person in charge, who has had a word with him. Person in charge also is convinced that it's unlikely that any of the kids would have seen anything and that the risk is low but I really think he is brushing this under the carpet.

Am I being unreasonable to think that if this was a school, this guy would have been fired instantly?

I'm not sure what the answer is here; the guy in question is a good friend of mine. I know it was a genuine (albeit stupid and very, very thoughtless) mistake, but surely this is a major safeguarding issue?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 04/08/2023 07:52

I don’t think they would have been sacked for a first offence with low risk. I sense you want them sacked though 🤔

Catsmere · 04/08/2023 07:52

I agree, OP.

Original poster
CelticMirror · 04/08/2023 07:55

DustyLee123 · 04/08/2023 07:52

I don’t think they would have been sacked for a first offence with low risk. I sense you want them sacked though 🤔

I don't 'want them sacked.' This is one of my closest friends.

Equally, I think this is a very serious matter!

OP posts:
Jibo · 04/08/2023 07:57

Shared laptops are an awful idea. Maybe make a policy that nobody is allowed to log into personal accounts on it. Is it Google Chrome he's logged into? There are changes you can make to the settings.

Original poster
CelticMirror · 04/08/2023 07:59

Jibo · 04/08/2023 07:57

Shared laptops are an awful idea. Maybe make a policy that nobody is allowed to log into personal accounts on it. Is it Google Chrome he's logged into? There are changes you can make to the settings.

Yes, GC. I have logged out of all accounts on both of the machines. I don't think any of the other staff were aware that he left his account logged in.

OP posts:
AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 04/08/2023 08:02

So he's logged in into his Google account at the club laptop and leaves it logged in? You say he couldn't have accessed the porn at work is that because of safeguards on the laptop ? Do they still work when logged in into a personal (adult) account? Why are you so sure that he or anyone else can't access those websites at work?

One thing to consider though, especially if it's something new , is that anyone could've done those searches even some of the kids. Even if they couldn't actually access the content, the search would still be saved.

He's been very stupid to 1.log in into his Google account at work and 2.not sign out so everyone could go to town on it.

That being said, no a teacher wouldn't be sacked for accessing porn in their private time at home. They would definitely get a bollocking and an internet safety refresher though.

greenteaandmarshmallows · 04/08/2023 08:04

No personal accounts to be used on the laptop. Set up one for everyone

justasking111 · 04/08/2023 08:05

Happened at my workplace IT went through everything found viruses within the system brought in on the back of the porn. Tightened up their search engine requests. The employee was sacked after most of the department was questioned. Was unpleasant for all

Original poster
CelticMirror · 04/08/2023 08:06

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 04/08/2023 08:02

So he's logged in into his Google account at the club laptop and leaves it logged in? You say he couldn't have accessed the porn at work is that because of safeguards on the laptop ? Do they still work when logged in into a personal (adult) account? Why are you so sure that he or anyone else can't access those websites at work?

One thing to consider though, especially if it's something new , is that anyone could've done those searches even some of the kids. Even if they couldn't actually access the content, the search would still be saved.

He's been very stupid to 1.log in into his Google account at work and 2.not sign out so everyone could go to town on it.

That being said, no a teacher wouldn't be sacked for accessing porn in their private time at home. They would definitely get a bollocking and an internet safety refresher though.

He's admitted that it is indeed his search history.

I have checked the laptop now and it's as safe as I can make it. And there will be conversations about the kids using it unsupervised.

OP posts:
Ponoka7 · 04/08/2023 08:16

Is the person in charge the safeguarding lead? Do they not have to report the breach to the LA safeguarding lead? There will be clear policies on this. It's a criminal offence to allow a child to see porn and it isn't something that is usually 'just had a word' over. It should have been logged on his file that this has happened. Given the circumstances it isn't always a stackable offence, but the person would be under supervision. I don't think that your clubs policies as submitted to the LA are being adheres to and this has been useful to remind everyone that you are in charge of vulnerable children and not at home.

SmartHome · 04/08/2023 08:20

So was he looking at porn while he was working or it it just that Google has bought along his search history when he logged in on the laptop? If it's the latter then I think that's a fair enough mistake, a shared laptop is a dumb idea and you can't really expect people to clear their entire search history before the login. If it's the former, then he should be sacked imo.

Original poster
CelticMirror · 04/08/2023 08:20

Ponoka7 · 04/08/2023 08:16

Is the person in charge the safeguarding lead? Do they not have to report the breach to the LA safeguarding lead? There will be clear policies on this. It's a criminal offence to allow a child to see porn and it isn't something that is usually 'just had a word' over. It should have been logged on his file that this has happened. Given the circumstances it isn't always a stackable offence, but the person would be under supervision. I don't think that your clubs policies as submitted to the LA are being adheres to and this has been useful to remind everyone that you are in charge of vulnerable children and not at home.

This is a very good point. The person in charge is the safeguarding lead, though there are two officers below him. We will be reviewing this in great detail but my hands are tied as to where I go from here, as he is convinced that this is 'low risk'. I completely and utterly disagree. There will be further conversations today.

OP posts:
Original poster
CelticMirror · 04/08/2023 08:22

SmartHome · 04/08/2023 08:20

So was he looking at porn while he was working or it it just that Google has bought along his search history when he logged in on the laptop? If it's the latter then I think that's a fair enough mistake, a shared laptop is a dumb idea and you can't really expect people to clear their entire search history before the login. If it's the former, then he should be sacked imo.

He's looking at porn at home. It's just showing up on the club machine because he's logged in.

OP posts:
Calmdown14 · 04/08/2023 08:25

If from the search history kids would be able to click on the link and access this stuff, they could just as easily type it in themselves surely?

If your systems allow them to do that and they use them without supervision your IT systems are insufficient.

Your colleague shouldn't have left himself logged in but it sounds like you lack proper IT procedure. Any disciplinary process against him should also take this into account.

It sounds like an urgent review is required for everyone as this has highlighted a huge loophole.

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 04/08/2023 08:27
  • He's admitted that it is indeed his search history.

I have checked the laptop now and it's as safe as I can make it. And there will be conversations about the kids using it unsupervised.*

Fair enough. It is such a stupid and risky (from a safeguarding point of view) mistake to make. But as long as he never did it at work, it is still a mistake with an easy fix. No one is allowed to log in into their own accounts. Even better , make a club account with really high security settings with any inappropriate websites/search words are banned.

Does he understand the seriousness of this? Was the word had too mild? You say he's a really good friend, if the manager wasn't strict/direct enough, could you have a word with him explaining why it really is THAT bad?

AlisonDonut · 04/08/2023 08:29

It isn't about it being unlikely, it is about mitigating the risk of it happening again, and about the risk to the children and the person in charge if one parent was to sue your organisation.

You know that but if you frame it in those terms the person in charge would be liable if it happened again.

Pottedpalm · 04/08/2023 08:30

I think your internet safety meeds an overhaul.
What sort of club is it? Sports club? Why do the teenagers need access to the staff computet?

CaroleSinger · 04/08/2023 08:32

Not quite sure where you're going with this. You told the manager. He's admitted it. He's been spoken to about it and it was dealt with. But you still don't think that's enough. And this is your good friend? But you don't think telling the manager, getting a confession and having him spoken to was enough? Who's good friend are you being exactly, his or your own? Perhaps print some flyers off to send home to all the parents or organise a Burn the witch evening?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 04/08/2023 08:36

DustyLee123 · 04/08/2023 07:52

I don’t think they would have been sacked for a first offence with low risk. I sense you want them sacked though 🤔

A teacher would absolutely be sacked for this. Looking at porn on a school computer during school time breaks about every safeguarding rule there is.

We had to lock our computers if we left them unattended.

ballsdeep · 04/08/2023 08:36

CaroleSinger · 04/08/2023 08:32

Not quite sure where you're going with this. You told the manager. He's admitted it. He's been spoken to about it and it was dealt with. But you still don't think that's enough. And this is your good friend? But you don't think telling the manager, getting a confession and having him spoken to was enough? Who's good friend are you being exactly, his or your own? Perhaps print some flyers off to send home to all the parents or organise a Burn the witch evening?

I agree. Just leave it be now . What was he actually looking at? That makes a difference because your questionable search might be ‘normal porn’ and you may just be outraged at it!

AngryGreasedSantaCatcus · 04/08/2023 08:40

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow except if what OP says is right, it wouldn't be at school,during school hours, using a school computer. I would've been at home , but visible/accessible because it's in his account's search history .

Scienceadvisory · 04/08/2023 08:46

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 04/08/2023 08:36

A teacher would absolutely be sacked for this. Looking at porn on a school computer during school time breaks about every safeguarding rule there is.

We had to lock our computers if we left them unattended.

Show quote history

If you had bothered to read the OPs posts you would know that isn't what happened. He did not look at porn on the laptop during club time. He signed in on the club's laptop using his Google account which brought with it his search history from his computer at home.

TheOwlChronicles · 04/08/2023 08:47

@ArseInTheCoOpWindow he's looked at it at home on his own account. It just so happens to be showing on the laptop when it's brought to the club as search history wasn't cleared

OP - what more do you want? I think it's been dealt with effectively ... this would be a whole different ball game if he'd looked at this stuff when at the club with kids around but for an oversight of just not clearing it from being at home - a stern talking to and a discussion on what happens going forward is enough

Unless you think he is inappropriate and this wasn't an oversight?

DustyLee123 · 04/08/2023 09:07

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 04/08/2023 08:36

A teacher would absolutely be sacked for this. Looking at porn on a school computer during school time breaks about every safeguarding rule there is.

We had to lock our computers if we left them unattended.

Show quote history

He’s not looking at porn at the club, it’s at home. Read the thread.

Neonyellowfish · 04/08/2023 09:15

who needs enemies when they have friends like you…

You want him sacked…

Its minor, he’s been told off. End off unless it happened again.

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