Online Safety
We’re all spending more time online, in fact the time spent watching TV has actually reduced in favour of online media.
(Ofcom’s research into media use)
Talking about online safety a little, but often, works best.
'Social media, like all forms of public communication, comes with some risks. Not all of these risks turn into actual problems; and if children never face any risks, they never learn how to deal with them. By helping your child understand what the risks are, you can play a big part in preventing them from turning into problems.'
It is really important to ensure that, as a student, you are aware of the risks your child is exposed to when using social media and other technology and the ways to keep yourself safe when using different digital devices.
- Think before you post online
- Don’t use another person’s username
- Don’t share your password with anyone
- Keep all your social media profiles private
- Inform an adult if you think that something you have received online is not appropriate
- Don’t accept people whom you do not know as ‘friends’ on your social media
- Don’t open emails from unknown sources and report any inappropriate content
Keeping your child safe online
Do you ever feel that your children know more about online technologies than you? You are not alone. Mobile phones, tablets and computers are now a key part of everyday life for many children and young people to stay connected. Technology creates huge opportunities for everyone, but can be overwhelming and present challenges to keeping children safe online.
Used correctly, they can be educational, fun and an exciting source of communication, a great way to explore, socialise, learn and play, but used incorrectly, or in the wrong hands they can be both threatening and dangerous.
It is important for parents/carers to understand what students do online and what risks they face.
CEOP
CEOP is a law enforcement agency and is here to keep children and young people safe.
If someone online has acted inappropriately towards you, your child or young person you know, please use the CEOP button to report it.
Checking apps, games and websites
It’s sometimes difficult to know if media is appropriate for our children, especially if it’s an app or website that we haven’t used.
Common Sense Media lets you search for movies, apps, games and websites and see their official age rating as well a recommended age from other parents.
Common Sense Media
NSPCC Net Aware, is a similar service. Helping you find ratings and information on games, online apps and more.
NSPCC Net Aware
Settings
Accidents can happen and sometimes inappropriate content is available in places you wouldn’t expect. We recommend setting parental restrictions and content filtering (available from most internet service providers).
No restrictions are completely infallible. It’s ok for children to make mistakes, it’s important that they know to get help from an adult.
Help and advice
If you have an urgent issue, something online was really not acceptable then please use the CEOP button above to report it directly to the police.
If you have a concern, speak to your Head of Year or ask to speak to any of our Designated Safeguarding Leads:
- Miss Peet - Senior Pastoral Leader & Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Mrs Beattie - Operational Safeguarding & Deputy Safeguarding Lead
- Mrs McGinlay - Operational Safeguarding & Deputy Safeguarding Lead