E-Safety
Online safety
Our pupils are growing up in a world of ever changing technology. Whilst we feel that the use of technology is largely a positive aspect of our lives, it is important to recognise that there are associated risks.
It is important to have regular conversations about staying safe online and to encourage children to speak to you if they come across something worrying online.
In school we aim to teach children
- To tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
- About the impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected
- To be vigilant when communicating online, recognising that people may not always ne who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
- To question the reliability of information given through a web based source.
- To use an internet browser responsibly.
How can your child/ren stay safer online?
Encourage your child/ren to follow these simple guidelines and monitor all online activity.
Think before you post
When posting or commenting online, consider what is said and what effect it may have. Never post comments that are abusive, threatening or are likely to cause offence to others.
Do not say anything or publish pictures that might later cause embarrassment for any person. Remember, any post can easily be shared without the authors control.
Keep personal information private
Ensure no personal details are shared online. This could include names, addresses or schools attended.
Make the most of privacy settings
Keep profiles secure, allowing access only to chosen friends and family.
Individual social media help sections can explain how to block users, change privacy and contact settings, and report abusive content.
The link below gives further guidance on using a VR (virtual reality) headset system safely.
Childnet Virtual Reality Guide for Parents/Carers
NSPCC Virtual Reality Headset Guidance
How can you talk to your child about online safety?
It is also important that, as parents, you feel equipped to talk to your child about the importance of creating a safe online environment, including keeping any log-in details and passwords safe.
These resources will support you to talk to your child about a range of online safety issues, set up home filtering in a child-friendly way and set up age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices:
- Thinkuknow by the National Crime Agency - Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (NCA-CEOP) - resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online
- Childnet has developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online
- Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP - support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) - guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online
- UK Safer Internet Centre - tips and advice for parents and carers to keep children safe online - you can also report any harmful content found online through the UK Safer Internet Centre
- Inclusive Digital Safety Hub and Online Safety Hub, created by South West Grid for Learning in partnership with Internet Matters - support and tailored advice for young people with additional learning needs and their parents or carers
- YouTube Guide for Parents/Carers How to keep your child safe on YouTube
- Snap Chat Guidance for Parents/Carers What is Snapchat? How does Snapchat work? How old do you have to be to use Snapchat? Do messages really disappear on Snapchat? What are Snap streaks? What's Snap Map? What's a Snapchat story? What's a Snapcode? What's Snapchat Discover? What are Snapchat's other features? Is Snapchat safe for preteens and teens? How do I monitor Snapchat and use the settings?