Online Safety information for parents
Our pupils are growing up in a world of ever-changing technology. While we feel that the use of technology is a largely positive aspect of modern life, we cannot ignore the risks that can be associated.
Throughout school we aim to teach children:
- about the impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected.
- to be vigilant when communicating online recognising that people may not always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
- to tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
- to question the reliability of information given through a web based source.
- to search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.
We understand that much of our pupil’s use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters.
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. At the bottom of this page are resources that your child can directly access as well to help them learn about online safety.
At Renishaw Primary we are committed to working towards keeping our pupils safe online. We are therefore working alongside the 360safe audit and accreditation in order to ensure we are providing the best online safety education to our children and parents.
Our first priority is to keep all pupils safe within a caring and secure environment, whether researching for a piece of home learning, using apps on tablets or gaming with friends through game consoles; children have more access than ever to many types of internet communication. We therefore need to ensure that they are equipped with the skills to be confident digital citizens.
We approach online safety in two ways. The first places emphasis on pupils to develop their own responsibility for helping to create a better, safer, more respectful online community. The second is knowing what to do if anything goes wrong. These are taught through specific, age appropriate lessons in our computing and PSHE curriculums, ‘Safer Internet Week’ activities and school assemblies.
However, to be completely successful, we need to work with our parents to ensure the online safety messages are consistent. It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online.
How can you help to keep your children safe online?
The digital world is fast overtaking the real one and it is important that RenishawPrimary School and Parents work together to ensure our children are safe both in the real world and online. a copy of our school E-safety policy can be found by clicking here
We very much hope these tips are useful:
- Know what your children are doing online and who they are talking to. Ask them to teach you to use any applications you have never used.
- Keeping the computer in a family room means that you can share your child’s online experience – and that they are less likely to act inappropriately (i.e. via webcam).
- Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends — personal information includes their messenger ID, email address, mobile number and any pictures of themselves, their family or friends. If your child publishes a picture or video online, anyone can change it or share it. Remind them that anyone may be looking at their images and one day a future employer could!
- If your child receives spam/junk email & texts, remind them never to believe them, reply to them or use them. It’s not a good idea for your child to open files that are from people they don’t know. They won’t know what they contain — it could be a virus, or worse — an inappropriate image or film.
- Help your child to understand that some people lie online and therefore it’s better to keep online mates online. They should never meet up with any strangers without an adult they trust.
- Always keep communication open for a child to know that it’s never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable.
- Teach young people how to block someone online and how to report them if they feel uncomfortable.
To learn more about the risks facing our children when they use computers, please log on to www.thinkuknow.co.uk.
Other useful websites:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
www.digizen.org/downloads/cyberbullyingOverview.pdf
www.connectsafely.org/guides-2/
www.kidsmart.org.uk
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is a police agency tackling child abuse on the internet. Their website www.ceop.police.uk includes a unique facility that enables parents and young people to make reports of actual or attempted abuse online.
Useful Resources and links
Thinkuknow http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Thinkuknow 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.
National Online Safety https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/
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.
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 https://www.bbc.com/ownit
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.
SafetoNet https://safetonet.com/
SafeToNet is technology that educates children “in-the-moment” as they use their device. It is a safeguarding assistant that helps them become responsible and safe digital citizens. Its power lies in a smart keyboard that detects risks in real-time. It steers children away from trouble by filtering harmful outgoing messages before they can be sent and any damage can be done.
The number of apps and social media channels your child could be exposed to grow all the time, as does an app’s functionality. We recommend you visit Net Aware to read the latest and most current advice on over 70 apps to ensure you know what they do, how you can limit their features as well as recommended age restrictions.
The apps included are:
- Fortnite
- Snapchat
- YouTube
- Minecraft
- Clash of Clans & Clash Royale
- Kik
- Friv
- Dubsmash
- Wink
- YOLO
- TikTok
We also suggest parents visit the website link below for up to date information on Facebook privacy settings, as whilst we know that no children under the age of 13 should be on Facebook, if they are then they should be educated as to how to ensure they are safe
In school, children learn about online safety through a scheme of lessons along with assemblies and workshops with parents. We also encourage parents/carers to talk to their children about how to behave safely when online, to ensure pupils remain safe when browsing at home.
The websites below provide excellent clear guidance for children about online safety, so please click on the image and have a read: there are separate sites for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
For the Key Stage 1 site,please click the blue screen below:
For the Key Stage 2 site, please click the orange screen below:
CLICK CEOP BUTTON (Child Exploitation)
CEOP is a law enforcement agency and is here to keep children and young people safe from sexual exploitation and abuse. Please complete the below to start your report to one of CEOP’s Child Protection Advisors.
https://www.ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting/
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/professionals/click-ceop-button
Applications and Websites Parents Should Know About
Social Media Guidance – Parents
Snap chat guide
Parental Guidance – Social Media
Parent Fact Sheet
Mobile Phones
Online Gaming
Keeping Safe Online Cyber bullying
Keeping Safe Online Photos
Keeping Safe Online Social Networks
