Keeping Children Safe Online

The internet is an amazing place for kids to learn, play, and connect—but it’s important to make sure they’re doing it safely. Here are some top tips and helpful resources to help you protect your children online:

Guidance for Parents/Carers

It is vital to educate our pupils about online safety in a 21st Century school.  Our pupils often participate in lessons where online security issues are highlighted, so that they can make independent decisions about keeping themselves safe whilst in the digital and real world. A Police Liaison Officer will also visit the school to support the learning within the classroom, and to ensure that the appropriate safeguarding messages are shared with the children and staff.

Here are a number of guides which are aimed at helping parents/carers of primary school aged pupils to stay safe online:

Keep your computer in a shared area: Talk to your child about what they are doing online and, if possible, set up your computer in a shared area at home so that you can all share in the wonderful sites that are available online.

Gaming: Gaming is fun but can be all consuming. Why not use the gamming console safety settings to help control age rated games and the amount of time spent online. Pay attention to the PEGI (age) ratings and what they mean.

PEGI: www.pegi.info/

Instant messaging: Instant messaging is a fast, fun way to speak to friends and family. Ensure your child understands that they may be talking to people they do not know so a conversation about what is appropriate or not to send is a good idea.

Cyberbullying: Remember, it is not the technology but the behaviour of the bully that is the problem. Would your child turn to you if they needed help? It’s always worth talking about bullying issues and making sure your child is supported. Reporting incidents not only helps your child but others too.

Social Media: If you are unsure about whether your child/ren should be accessing social media websites/apps, the Internet Matters website provides guidance on what the age restrictions are for all social media platforms.  Please note that, as made clear on this website, the minimum age for any social media platforms is 13 years old.

https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/what-age-can-my-child-start-social-networking/

Generative AI: Resources, guidance, training and information for schools and the wider school community about how generative AI works.

Generative AI - Hwb

Useful Links

• Anti Bullying Alliance: www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk 
• Internet Matters: www.internetmatters.org
• Digital Parenting Magazine: Digital Parenting - Vodafone UK News Centre

Online Safety

Videos:

Social Media

If you are unsure about whether your child should be accessing social media websites/apps, the Internet Matters website provides guidance on what the age restrictions are for all social media platforms.  Please note that, as made clear on this website, the minimum age for any social media platforms is 13 years old.

https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/what-age-can-my-child-start-social-networking/

Who do I Contact for Help, Guidance or Support?

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) command aims to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online and provides victims, their families or trusted adults with an online reporting system.  CEOP is part of the National Crime Agency.  Click the button below to check whether something that has happened online should be reported.  If you need to make a report, remember that a trusted adult should help you. 

Childline

Childline provides confidential support for children who have concerns about any aspect of their lives, including anything which has happened online.  Click to button below to visit the Childline website.

Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media provides parents/carers with a source of age-related reviews of all types of media including apps, websites and video/computer games.  Click the link button below to find out more: 

Please note we are not responsible for the content of any websites featured here