E-SAFETY

In today's world, being online is an integral part of children and young people's lives. This could be through social media, online games, websites and many apps. These areas can be assessed through mobile phones, computers, laptops and tables which a lot of our children have access to at home and at school.

We know the internet offers many exciting opportunities to our pupils but it can also expose them to all sorts of risks.

This is why E-Safety forms a fundamental part of our schools safeguarding procedures.

Here you will find our Online Safety Policy.

Online e-safety policy.pdf

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE ON THE INTERNET

We know that keeping your child safe online can be daunting as you may have concerns about your understanding of a topic and of the latest developments in technology. Keeping your child safe online is more about communication skills than the technology itself. It isn't enough to protect children from online harms by banning sites or installing firewalls and filters (NSPCC, 2022). There are many search engines which can be used by children to search the internet safely like Kiddle and Swiggle.

You can also find parent guides on social networks, games, apps and more at Common Sense Media, Net Aware or download the app that has been created for parents by National Online Safety. In addition, we recommend creating a YouTube Kids account if your child uses YouTube regularly.

Alongside the websites that are listed above, the NSPCC has a guide to internet safety on their website too. The UK Safer Internet Centre suggests 4 top tips for parents which are:

Having conversations without judgement
Knowing where you can learn more about their favourite apps and games
Getting support if things go wrong
Reassuring your child that whatever happens online, you are there to support them.

Below are some useful posters to inform parents of what they need to watch out for on websites, apps and games that their children might be using.

snapchat-2021.pdf