Online Safety
With children spending more time online to do schoolwork and other activities, there could be an additional risk. This is why it is more important than ever that children, parents and carers know how to stay safe online.
It is important that parents and carers talk to their children about online safety, show an interest in what they are doing online and ask what they like and dislike about the apps and services they use. Discuss age appropriate ‘ground rules’ like how much time they spend online doing different things and what games and apps are appropriate to use. Also consider setting up and reviewing age-appropriate parental controls. Setting parental controls can be a quick and effective tool to help protect children online.
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School believes that online safety (e-safety) is an essential element of safeguarding children and adults in the digital world, when using technology such as computers, mobile phones or game consoles.
- The School identifies that the internet and information communication technologies are an important part of everyday life so children must be supported to be able to learn how to develop strategies to manage and respond to risk so they can be empowered to build resilience online.
- The school has a duty to provide the school community with quality Internet access to raise education standards, promote student achievement, support professional work of staff and enhance the schools management functions. The school also identifies that with this there is a clear duty to ensure that children are protected from potential harm online.
- To ensure compliance with Article 8 of the General Data Protection Regulation and Section 9 of the Data Protection Act.
At Saint Mary’s ,we place great value on the use of new technologies to enhance learning. The education of pupils in online safety is therefore an essential part of our school’s e-Safeguarding provision. Children need the help and support of the school and their parents/carers to recognise and avoid online safety risks and to build their resilience.
Sophos, makers of our anti-virus software, have published a guide aimed at parents to help them keep their children and themselves safe from all kinds of online threats such as phishing and viruses.
This looks to be a useful guide and can help some of the questions we sometimes get asked by parents in school – the information in here is also of use for any adult who uses the internet in any way, particularly those who may be less internet savvy!
- Always be careful when you are using the internet. It can help you to keep in touch with your friends and help your education – but it can also cause harm – to you and to others.
- Remember help is always available at school if you are having any problems online.
- Don’t be afraid to talk to your teacher or another adult at school.
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:
- Think You KnowAge 5 – 7
- Think You KnowAge 8 – 10
- Think You KnowAge 11 – 13
Safety Net
There is a real and growing concern of how many young people find it ok to share inappropriate images online. It is leading to so many becoming vulnerable to potential exploitation, blackmail and harm from a young age, leaving a lasting digital footprint. If you share it, you are involved.
