Online Safety
What is Online Safety?
This is is the safe use of the internet for gaming and communication. It includes devices such as laptops, tablets, smartphones and games consoles. It is important that children and young people understand the benefits, risks and responsibilities of using and sharing information online.
Children are taught about online safety in their PHSE & Computing lessons.
Worried about what you or your child has seen on line?
Report to CEOP a serious safety incident
Using the Internet Safely at Home
While many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer filtering systems to help you safeguard your child at home, it remains surprisingly easy for children to access inappropriate material including unsuitable texts, pictures and movies. Parents are advised to set the security levels within Internet browsers with this in mind. Locating the computer or tablet in a family area, not a bedroom, will enable you to supervise children as they use the Internet. However, don’t deny your child the opportunity to learn from the wide variety of material and games available on the Internet. Instead, set some simple rules for keeping them safe and make sure they understand the importance of these rules.
Simple rules for keeping your child safeTo keep your child safe you should:
- set screen time limits and switch off times
- ask permission before using the Internet, tell you what they are doing
- only use devices in family space, not in bedrooms
- only use websites and games you have chosen together or a child friendly search engine.
- only email and message people they know
- limit use Internet chat rooms (on games consoles or devices)
- do not use their real name when using games on the Internet (create a nick name)
- never give out a home address, phone or mobile number
- never tell someone where they go to school
- never arrange to meet someone they have ‘met’ on the Internet
- only use a webcam with people they know
- ask them to tell you immediately if they see anything they are unhappy with.
Using these rules
Go through the rules with your child. It is also a good idea to regularly check the Internet sites your child is visiting e.g. by clicking on History and Favourites. Please reassure your child that you want to keep them safe rather than take Internet access away from them.
Online Safety Resources for Parents
How to set up parental controls