Online Safety
What is Online Safety?
Keeping Children Safe Online
In simple terms, online safety refers to the act of staying safe online. It is also commonly known as internet safety, e-safety and cyber safety. It encompasses all technological devices which have access to the internet from PCs and laptops to smartphones and tablets.
Being safe online means individuals are protecting themselves and others from online harms and risks which may jeopardise their personal information, lead to unsafe communications or even effect their mental health and wellbeing.
Operating within an online space is something most of us simply do subconsciously, but have you ever stopped to consider the potential dangers which exist on the web, especially for our children?
The Ofcom ‘Children and Parents: media use and attitudes report' found that children are more engaged online than they’ve ever been. Ownership of smart devices is increasing and the range of content they are viewing is expanding. In an ever-changing world, ensuring pupils’ safety online has never been more important. It’s an all-encompassing duty and something that we must all be vigilant of.
This page aims to equip parents with the best tools and advice for supporting children. If you would like free leaflets or any further information please ask for Miss Power (Deputy Headteacher) and Mr Lenge (Computing Lead).
These resources will 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:
- Thinkuknow by the National Crime Agency - Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (NCA-CEOP) - resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online
- 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
- Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP - support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) - guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online
- UK Safer Internet Centre - 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
- Inclusive Digital Safety Hub and Online Safety Hub, created by South West Grid for Learning in partnership with Internet Matters - support and tailored advice for young people with additional learning needs and their parents or carers
- Parents’ Guide to Age Ratings explains how the British Board of Film Classification rates content, and gives parents advice on choosing online content well
For more information, guidance or support please click the link below:
Age-inappropriate content and parental controls
If you have downloaded new apps or bought new technology to help stay connected at this time, remember to review and adjust privacy and safety settings if you or your child is signing up to a new online service.
- Internet Matters has step-by-step guides on how to set up parental controls so that you can control what content your child can access online
- the UK Safer Internet Centre has guidance on how to switch on family-friendly filters to prevent age-inappropriate content being accessed on devices in your home
- the NSPCC has more information for parents or carers with concerns about their child seeking inappropriate or explicit content online
Apps to help children stay safe online
The BBC has a website and app called Own It. The website helps children 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. It can be downloaded for free in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
SafeToNet is an app for parents to help them protect their children from online risks like cyberbullying while respecting their child’s rights to privacy.
Keeping Children Safe Online
We are Internet Legends! All of our Junior classes learned about how to stay safe on-line!
TIK TOK Privacy Changes
It is becoming apparent a large number of our children access the social media app Tik Tok. Tik Tok has a 13 age rating meaning any one younger than this should not be using the app. If you do choose to allow your children to access this app please note that Tik Tok have recently released privacy setting changes which allow parents to have better control over what children are accessing on Tik Tok. Read this article to find out more.
Own It App
The new 'Own It' App helps guide your children when typing messages to friends and more.
Internet Safety Day
Thank you to all those who participated in Internet Safety Day. It was a great success in which every class had the opportunity to take part in 3 separate internet safety activities.
Parent Resources
There is now a whole host of free easily accessible resources out there for parents to help their children stay safe in the digital world. Try the following websites:
Digital Parenting Magazine
Digital Parenting Magazine is a free resources which offers advice and help for parents in an ever changing digital world. Eldon has secured copies of the next publication which will be delivered and sent home with all children.
Previous publications can be found below and viewed online:
Setting up internet parental controls
You can control what your child is viewing through your home internet provider. Head to the Uk Safer Internet website for advice on this.
Own It App
The BBC have released a fantastic App called 'Own it' which brings up advice and suggestions for children when they type certain things on their keyboard in a mobile device. Find out more here.
TRENDING ISSUES IN OUR SCHOOL:
TIK TOK (Social Media Website, formely known as Musical.ly)
Fortnite
Fortnite is a computer game where players battle against each other online to be the last player standing. It is 13 age rated game, has an 'open chat' element where children could hear profanities and the game contains violence.
Our Golden Rules For Staying Safe With ICT (Juniors)
Our Golden Rules for Staying Safe with ICT
We always ask permission before using the internet.
We only use the internet when a trusted adult is around.
We immediately close/minimise any page we are uncomfortable with (or if possible switch off the monitor).
We always tell an adult if we see anything we are uncomfortable with.
We only communicate online with people a trusted adult has approved.
All our online communications are polite and friendly.
We never give out our own, or others’, personal information or passwords and are very careful with the information that we share online.
We only use programmes and content which have been installed by the school.
Our Golden Rules For Staying Safe With ICT (Infants)
Our Golden Rules for Staying Safe with ICT
We only use the internet when a trusted adult is with us.
We are always polite and friendly when using online tools.
We always make careful choices when we use the Internet.
We always ask a trusted adult if we need help using the Internet.
We always tell a trusted adult if we find something that upsets us.
Keep your details private
Internet Safety Day
On the Tuesday 6th February Eldon Primary School particpated in Internet Safety Day. As part of the day children recieved e-safety advice in class and assemblies.
e-Safety KS1 Assembly
We read a fantastic story during our KS1 assembly called Digiduck. Digiduck interacts with his friends online and contemplates sending a picture, which makes fun of his friend, across the internet. Wise Owl shows him that there are consequences to such actions and that we must treat people online in the same way do in real life.
eSafety
It is very important to keep safe online. Here are some online resources to help us find out how to do that.
Captain Kara and Winston's SMART Adventure
The SMART Adventure illustrates Childnet's SMART rules and includes a real life SMART Crew of young people who guide the cartoon characters in their quest and help them make smart online decisions.
Thinkuknow
eSafety resources for 5-7 year olds including Hector's World and Lee and Kim's adventures.
