Parents & Children

Online Safety

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What is Online Safety?

Online-safety is the safe use of information systems and electronic communications, including the internet, mobile phones and games consoles. It is important that children and young people understand the benefits, risks and responsibilities of using information technology.

• Online safety concerns safeguarding children and young people in the digital world.

• Online safety emphasises learning to understand and use new technologies in a positive way.

• Online safety is less about restriction and more about education about the risks as well as the benefits so we can feel confident online.

• Online safety is concerned with supporting children and young people to develop safer online behaviours both in and out of school.

Report to CEOP a serious on-line safety incident: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Ceop-Report/

Using the Internet Safely at Home

Whilst many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer filtering systems to help you safeguard your child at home, it remains surprisingly easy for children to access inappropriate material including unsuitable texts, pictures and movies. Parents are advised to set the security levels within Internet browsers with this in mind. Locating the computer or tablet in a family area, not a bedroom, will enable you to supervise children as they use the Internet. However, don’t deny your child the opportunity to learn from the wide variety of material and games available on the Internet. Instead, set some simple rules for keeping them safe and make sure they understand the importance of these rules.

Simple Rules for Keeping Your Child Safe

• To keep your child safe they should:

• Ask permission before using the Internet

• Only use websites you have chosen together or a child friendly search engine.

• Only email people they know (why not consider setting up an address book?)

• Ask permission before opening an email sent by someone they don’t know

• Do not use Internet chat rooms

• Do not use their real name when using games on the Internet (create a nick name)

• Never give out a home address, phone or mobile number

• Never tell someone where they go to school

• Never arrange to meet someone they have ‘met’ on the Internet

• Only use a webcam with people they know

• Ask them to tell you immediately if they see anything they are unhappy with.

Remember, reporting abuse makes the Internet safer for everyone.

Information and advice for parents

*Please read*

Thank you to some of our parents who have alerted us to the #Momo challenge which is appearing within children’s YouTube video links. We have been advised that the links can be easily made by children using phones and iPads, and that it isn’t being blocked by all security settings. The National Online Safety training organisation provide many guides to different social media, which are excellent - especially the age ratings and security settings. 

Their website is intended for adult (not children’s) use and may I urge you to look at the wide range of resources they make freely available: https://nationalonlinesafety.com/about-us/ 

Online Safety Links (including support for parents and families)

Thinkuknow provides advice from the National Crime Agency (NCA) on staying safe online

Parent info is a collaboration between Parentzone and the NCA providing support and guidance for parents from leading experts and organisations

Childnet offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, to set boundaries around online behaviour and technology use, and to find out where to get more help and support

Internet matters provides age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices, and a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world

London Grid for Learning has support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online, including tips to keep primary aged children safe online

Net-aware has support for parents and carers from the NSPCC, including a guide to social networks, apps and games

UK Safer Internet Centre has tips, advice, guides and other resources to help keep children safe online, including parental controls offered by home internet providers and safety tools on social networks and other online services

Harmful or upsetting content

Get support by:

• reporting harmful online content to the UK Safer Internet Centre

• getting government advice and trusted resources from Educate Against Hate on safeguarding from radicalisation, building resilience to extremism, and promoting shared values

Bullying or abuse online

You can:

• get advice on reporting online abuse from the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection command

• get advice and support from Anti-Bullying Alliance for children who are being bullied

• Schools may also wish to use resources such as Tootoot to provide a confidential route for pupils to report bullying or abuse.

Useful Websites

Online Safety Tips - Parents and carers of EYFS and KS1 children

Advice for parents and carers of KS2 children

Take a look at the Top Tips from the UK Safer Internet Centre for how to keep you and your loved ones safe online

What parents need to know about squid game

What parents need to know about squid game and new squid game challenge app / K-Game challenge