Online Safety and Digital Responsibility
In today’s world, our children are growing up surrounded by ever-changing technology. While technology brings many opportunities for learning and creativity, it also presents risks that we must address together. It is an area of safeguarding which as a school is very concerning for us.
At our school, digital literacy is an important part of our computing curriculum. Beyond technical skills, we teach children how to:
- Recognise the impact of cyber-bullying and know what to do if they are affected.
- Communicate online safely, understanding that people may not always be who they claim to be.
- Make sensible decisions about what personal information they share online.
- Tell a trusted adult if something online upsets or worries them.
- Question the reliability of information found on the internet.
- Search responsibly and safely when using online resources.
We understand that much of our pupils’ internet use takes place at home, outside the protection of school filters and monitoring systems. A key safeguarding concern is the unsupervised use of social media and online gaming platforms, where children may be exposed to inappropriate content or interact with strangers.
As parents and carers, you play a vital role in keeping your child safe online. We encourage you to:
- Monitor your child’s online activity and set clear boundaries.
- Be aware of age ratings for games, apps, and online platforms.
- Set appropriate restrictions and safety mechanisms when children are using online platforms
- Discuss safe online behaviour and responsible use of technology at home.
Together, we can ensure that children enjoy the benefits of digital technology while staying safe and supported.
We recommend you visit the National Online Safety website or download their app to read the latest and most current advice on the use, popularity and parental controls that can be set for many devices, apps and gaming platforms. These can be downloaded from https://nationalonlinesafety.com/guides or from https://info.nationalonlinesafety.com/mobile-app You can also find support from the links below.
At the bottom of this page are resources that will support you as a parent in setting up privacy settings on devices and understanding the many social media and gaming sites popular with our children.
Useful resources and links
Below are a list of useful websites, advice and resources that you may find helpful when navigating the issue of online safety with your child.
National Online Safety
https://nationalcollege.com/parents
National Online Safety’s mission is to make the internet a safer place for children. They aim to do this by equipping school staff, parents and children with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and how best to react should an incident arise. The link above provides up to date information about a wide variety of social media apps and platforms your child might be using.
Think u know
Think u know is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Since 2006, it aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them.
Internet Matters
https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/esafety-leaflets-resources/
A comprehensive web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. Some of their guidance we attach below but you can find even more by visiting the link.
NSPCC
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect – opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe.
Childnet
http://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. Packed with resources it is a great resource for parents.
CEOP
http://ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is part of the National Crime Agency and their website can be used to report if you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating online.
BBC Own It
The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most.
Safer Internet Centre
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers
Safer internet seeks to bring together parents and children to raise awareness of the risks children face online. Last year they were able to get their message across to 2.8 million children and 2.5 million parents.