Online Safety in School:

Safeguarding children when online presents many challenges. In school, our internet server is filtered and monitored and the tablets we use are set up with restricted access appropriate to primary school age children. This helps us to enable children to use the internet safely, however online safety education is also essential in protecting our children’s futures in a digital world. Making sure that children do not access ‘inappropriate’ content is essential but only part of the bigger picture; online safety includes educating children about and protecting them from online abuse, online grooming, privacy violations, cyber bullying, sexting and also associated mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and lack of sleep.

Parents/carers who have an online safety concern, related to the school or other pupils in the school, should contact the office and ask for the Online Safety Officer who will complete an Online Safety Incident Log and take further action, as necessary.

Pupils who have an online safety concern or want to report an incident, should talk to or write a note to their class teacher who will complete an Online Safety Incident Log with them and notify the Online Safety Officer to take further action, as necessary.

If you would like to report an online safety concern anonymously, you can contact the Children and Families Helpdesk on 01452 426565

Online Safety & Home Learning:

Children are increasingly accessing many different mobile devices and computers on a daily basis. Now more than ever we want to work with you as parents and carers to help protect your children when they are online.

Setting Parental Controls

Along with talking to your child regularly, using parental controls is one of the best ways to help keep children safe online. The NSPCC and O2 have produced an easy to follow guide to help you secure your online connections at home: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/

Where can I go to get support to help keep my child safe online?

There is a lot of support available to keep your child safe online. Internet Matters have produced several useful information leaflets:

Below are some more useful links to help parents and carers:

Thinkyouknow

Advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online with useful sections for parents/carers as well as sections specifically for children (divided into age groups)

National Online Safety Guides are a fantastic range of really useful quick guides to every major game/social media platform, detailing pros and cons of them. They have also currently got useful tips for parents and children learning from home. You can download the resources as posters on each game/app/platform and also follow them on Twitter or Facebook for the breaking news about new apps and games: #WakeUpWednesday

Internet Matters

Expert support for parents and carers and practical tips to help children benefit from connected technology and the internet safely and smartly. Useful guide to setting up parental controls as well.

Parent Info

Provides support and information to parents, children and schools, working globally to help families navigate the internet safely and confidently.

LGfL

Safeguarding and online safety advice for parents and carers form London Grid for Learning

How can you know if the apps are safe for your kids to use?

SaferKid App Reviews for Parents

NSPCC App Age rating guide

How can I decide what social networking sites are best for my children to use?

UK Council or Child Internet Safety have produced a useful parent guide to social media: Child Safety Online: A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media

NSPCC Text helpline for children: Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help: 0800 1111