Online Safety
Online Safety is an integral part of children’s education in today’s digital world and is embedded in their learning at school. As a school we understand the importance of supporting parents/carers to improve their own understanding of online safety issues, so you can engage with your children regarding their use of the internet while at home.
Online Safety Curriculum at School
In school we follow these rules to help us stay safe online at home and at school:
Early Years and KS1- SMARTIE the penguin KS2 SMART Rules
SMARTE stories - below are the SMARTIE stories we use in class to help teach online safety. Please enjoy reading them with your child and using them as a starter for a discussion about how to stay safe while they are online:
SMARTIE powerpoints
Pupil Technology Use Agreements:
All our pupils sign a copy of our technology use agreement every year after discussions as a class on what it means to be a 'good' technology user
Pupil Acceptable Use Agreements
You could create your own family agreement for how your child uses technology at home using the document below:
Family Agreement
What you can do at home:
We understand that it can be difficult for adults to know what to do for the best when it comes to online safety. It may seem as if the technology is going at such a rate that it is hard to keep on top of all the new things coming out.
The main thing to remember is that whatever app, website or game that becomes the new craze:
- Stay vigilant to your child’s internet use, and have open conversations about what they like to do
- Remind then that the same social rules apply online as in real life, so be kind, polite, and wary of strangers
- Teach children about what the dangers are, and what they can do if they get worried
- Talk to older siblings about being considerate of their younger siblings age when watching things online with them
- Don’t leave children alone with digital devices until you have shown them how to interact safely online, and to tell you if something is wrong.
- Make sure you use parental settings on all of your devices, and never let them play games with a PEGI rating too old for them.
- Above all, don’t feel ashamed about not knowing about every new technological development. Ask other parents, and us at school if you are worried.
Internet Safety Week 2022:
https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2022
At St Ignatius we had a poster competition in KS1 and KS2. Here are the winning entries!!
Having conversations without judgement.
Whether by playing games, watching videos, or doing things your child enjoys, spending time together online is a great way to start conversations about the online world and how they’re finding being a part of it.
It is important to ask questions and take an interest in what your child enjoys online.
An essential part of having this open dialogue is to not judge, even if their behaviour or life online isn’t what you wanted or expected. This ensures that your child feels they can come to you if ever they make a mistake or experience a problem online.
Knowing where you can learn more about their favourite apps and games.
Websites like Common Sense Media or The Family Gaming Database can be invaluable sources of information. When your child starts talking about a new game or app, why not do some research into the reporting and blocking options available? Then you can help your child if they come to you with an issue.
Getting support if things go wrong.
There are lots of organisations who are there to support you and your family if something has gone wrong. The Report Harmful Content website can help you with issues such as cyberbullying, impersonation and threats. You can report worrying behaviour towards children to CEOP. Find out more on Childnet’s Get Help page.
Reassuring your child that whatever happens online, you are there to support them.
Let your child know that the best way to address any problem they have online, is to tell a trusted adult immediately. For example, this might include someone sending them a friend request; an online message; telling them to visit a specific website, or app; or asking them for their personal information. Reassure them that if anything happens online that they are unsure about, or makes them feel worried or upset, they can come to you for help.
5 Internet Safety Tips for Kids
Sharing photos, posting comments, playing video games -- these are just a few of the ways that kids interact online, but sometimes there are risks. Learn five ways to keep your kids safe on the internet.
Online Safety Advice for Parents - Remote Learning
DFE Guidance: https://Support for Parents during Coronavirus- Keeping Children Safe Online
Remote Learning- Support for Parents
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/cyberaware/home- This is a government website supporting parents with staying safe online.
Online Safety- Home activity packs
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Support-tools/home-activity-worksheets/early-years/- age 4- 5
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Support-tools/home-activity-worksheets/5-7s/ - age 5-7
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Support-tools/home-activity-worksheets/8-10s/- age 8- 10
Childnet have created six easy-to-follow videos to work through together with children aged 6-9 years old.
Each video has:
- simple, clear online safety advice specifically tailored for children aged 6-9 years old,
- 10-15 minutes of fun activities, games and discussion points,
- narration from an experienced member of the Childnet education team,
- optional follow-up activities to extend children's learning.
Please note: due to the format of this resource and to encourage meaningful discussion, we would strongly advise that children watch the video lessons together with an adult.
https://www.childnet.com/resources/video-lessons
Digisafe Daily Activities:
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Digisafe Daily Activities
Key Websites for Parents
The London Grid For Learning (LGFL) have lots of advice on Online Safety, as well as lots of other websites:
https://www.lgfl.net/online-safety/resource-centre?s=16
https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/parent-and-carer-toolkit
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers
https://thecybersafetylady.com.au/2014/08/a-parents-guide-to-minecraft/
Fortnite- latest information
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Fortnite- What Parents need to know!
Setting Up Parental Controls
If your child uses an electronic device at home unsupervised it is important that you have parental controls in place so that they do not stumble across anything inappropriate and unsuitable. To find out how to do this with various broadband providers click on the links below to watch a short step by step video.
BT Broadband
How to set up parental controls- BT Broadband
Sky Broadband
How to set up parental controls- Sky Broadband
Further information about putting Parental controls on devices at home:
https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/hot-topics/parental-controls
Putting Parental Controls on and Ipad- Video:
Apps and Media
Parent Guides to Online Safety
YouTube
Regular YouTube has “Restricted Mode” that can be set by scrolling to the bottom of Youtube, Clicking “Restricted Mode” then clicking “Save”. This will stop the majority of adult content being shown when they children watch, this is not fully reliable however. For an added layer of protection for your mobiles and tablets download “YouTube Kids” which allows content suitable for children. Please remember that no filter is 100% reliable, so you still need to be vigilant to what your children are watching. Click HERE to find out how we talk to the children about that in school.
Reporting Concerns
If you or anyone you know is worried about Child Exploitation, Online Protection or anything related to Internet safety please click the link below which will take you to the CEOP reporting website:
https://www.ceop.police.uk/ceop-reporting/
or
https://reportharmfulcontent.com/
Childline- They have lots of useful advice for children if they have any worries about online safety and cyber bullying:
