Online Safety
We consider the safety of the children of paramount importance. In a modern world, this includes ensuring they are safe on the internet and with the technology they use. The internet is a wonderful resource that we all make use of, however it can be a dangerous place to be. In school we educate the children, throughout their time here, about what those dangers are and how they can protect themselves from them. We have a system in place which filters what the children are able to see and do whilst using the internet in school. As part of the Computing curriculum, all children from Foundation Stage to Year Six focus on the importance of internet safety and we provide them with the knowledge and skills they need in order to keep themselves safe online.
We are also aware that many children of primary school age have access to mobile internet technology such as smart phones and tablets, which they can use to access social networking sites such as Whatsapp, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube. The minimum age to have an account on these sites is 13. If you would like any more information on this, we have included parents' guides below to these sites. We have also included links to a number of mobile operator's sites that have sections of their website dedicated to online safety.
Safer Internet Day
Each year, we celebrate Safer Internet Day as part of our online safety curriculum.
We will discuss how it is important to be careful with our personal information online, as well as teaching children how to use images and social media responsibly. All children, from Reception to Year 6 have thought about how they can play their part in building a better internet.
For more information and support on how to stay safe, take a look at the website below, which provides advice for parents and carers. https://www.saferinternetday.org/
A thoughtful message regarding online safety from one of our school governors:
As a father of two boys I am fully aware of how children have become all too familiar with the use of the internet, Social Media and supporting technology in their everyday lives. Our children now use the internet regularly to communicate with friends, play and as a portal to resources when doing their school work etc. Most of us accept now that our children have more technical knowledge of the many different devices and facilities they use than we as parents do.
Straits has recognised that our children will need excellent IT skills for the future and has incorporated the use of technology and the facilities that that the internet brings, into the curriculum. As someone who is particularly interested in online safety, I am pleased to say that Straits has also considered that some children may be unable to identify the risks that the internet may pose. To address this the school’s curriculum also contains a robust programme for E-safety that receives my ongoing support. You can assist the school in assuring that our children are safe online by following some simple tips:
- Take some time to get involved in your children’s internet use and talk to them about online safety.
- Explain to your children that they should not give any personal information online, e.g. Full name, address, mobile number, email address, school name etc.
- Explain that people online may be lying about who they are, and ensure your children know they must always get your permission before agreeing to meet anyone.
- Be aware that children may also be accessing the internet via their games console or mobile phone.
- Make sure you, as parents, check out the setting on devices to control content and monitor their usage.
By taking these few simple steps we can ensure that our children remain safe and can continue to make use of the evolving technology.
Lewis Bourne
Internet Safety Day workshops
Helping at Home
Online Resilience tool - The Online Resilience Tool provides a practical way to assess young people’s online behaviour and help them make decisions about whether that behaviour represents risk of harm. https://www.headstartkernow.org.uk/digital-resilience
We strongly recommend that you consider how safe the internet environment is for your children at home. Take a look at the ThinkUKnow website by using the link below. They have some fabulous games, videos and information about staying safe online that may help you protect your children and be aware of the risks. https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk
If you see something or become aware of an online danger, you can report it to CEOP (Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre) who will investigate the concern.
https://ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Another useful site is PACE which helps parents across the UK understand what is happening to their child and how parents are the prime agents in helping their child exit exploitative relationships.: https://paceuk.info/for-parents/
Virtual Reality Headsets
VR headsets can have similar risks to devices like smart phones and tablets. Because you can use them in different ways, the risks will depend on how your child uses the device.
Many children like to use VR headsets to play games and explore different virtual places on their own. But with VR headsets you can also chat and play games online with others. You can even use a VR headset to access the metaverse.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/virtual-reality-headsets/
Fortnite Battle Royale — What parents need to know
Need to know more about Fortnite Battle Royale? Games expert Andy Robertson gives a detailed outline of the game and offers great tips for parents to keep children safe while playing.
Click the CEOP Button to report an e-safety issue
