We know that children will be spending a large amount of their time online- remote learning and connecting with their friends. Being online is a great way for children and young people to keep connected with friends and family at the moment, but more often can also increase exposure to risk.
Online safety is the duty of parents and staff who should work with the children to ensure that all users of the “virtual” or digital world are safe and that the same standards of safe and acceptable behaviour that apply in our communities is also applied online.
As a community we need to recognise and guard against bullying, intimidation, discrimination and exploitation of vulnerable users amongst the online users we know but more importantly from “stranger danger”.
Online safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Keir Hardie Primary. We have extensive security measures and safe working practices in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or inappropriate material. As a school, online safety incidents are dealt with in accordance with our policies and sanctions applied to deal with unacceptable behaviour.
With children using new apps to communicate during the pandemic, it’s important that parents and carers continue to have regular conversations with children about what they are doing online and what social networks, apps and games they are using. Parents/carers should listen to any worries or anxieties your children may have and let them know they can always come to you about anything or speak to a member of staff at school. We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if staff and parents work together to ensure the online safety message is consistent.
It can be hard to know how to talk to your child about online safety, but it is important that adults speak to their children about how they can keep safe, teach them how to behave appropriately online, set rules and deal with poor behaviour. From setting up parental controls to advice on sexting, online games and video apps, the NSPCC website can help you to understand the risks and keep your child safe.
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https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ |
If you have any questions then please don’t hesitate to contact the school. We may be able to help or direct you to get advice about keeping you and your children safe whilst online. Please also read the LGFL online resources for support.
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LGFL Safeguarding & Online Safety Resources |
It is important to have regular conversations about staying safe online and to encourage children to speak to you if they come across something worrying online.
These resources provide guidance for parents and carers to keep children safe online.
They will, amongst other things, support you to talk to your child about a range of online safety issues, set up home filtering in a child-friendly way and set up age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices:
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Thinkuknow by National Crime Agency-CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection). Provides resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online |
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Childnet has developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online. |
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Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCACEOP, providing support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations |
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UK Safer Internet Centre provides tips and advice for parents and carers to keep children safe online – you can also report any harmful content found online through the UK Safer Internet Centre |
