Staying Safe Online
The internet has an amazing range of information and opportunities online and can help us see the world from different points of view. However, it can also bring risks. Being safe on the internet and using it sensibly is obviously really important (now more than ever, as children are now using it every day and for many hours). Therefore, e-safety forms a fundamental part of our school’s safeguarding and child protection measures.
Government guidance across the UK highlights the importance of safeguarding children and young people from harmful and inappropriate online material (Department for Education, 2020; Department of Education, 2020; Scottish Government, 2017; Welsh Government, 2020). Therefore, our whole school approach to online safety helps ensure staff, governors, volunteers and parents teach children about staying safe online.
Within the school setting, we ensure children receive discrete sessions on internet safety each half term. In February each year, Safer Internet Day is celebrated incorporating the different, key themes into activities for each year group. Our curriculum is tailored to ensure that each year, children focus on a different aspect of keeping safe online. Children regularly access the internet at school, using the strategies taught to keep safe online. When using the internet, the children only have access to certain websites for use within the curriculum, blocking any which are unsuitable.
Our internet service provider has high security levels and our learning platform has passwords and safety software built in so there are only certain things we can see and sites we can visit. We can also only email people within the school community we belong to.
Remember to:
- Keep passwords secure and never share them.
- Never give out your personal details like your second name, phone number, address, email address or the school you go to.
- Only talk to people you know are your friends – never meet up with an online friend.
- Have your privacy settings as high as possible.
- Use the report button and ask an adult for help if you see something that worries you or makes you feel uncomfortable.
To explore additional, key information about the ways to stay safe on the internet as well as guidance on parental controls and ensuring children stay safe online at home, please visit: