Keeping Your Child Safe Online

We believe that technology plays an important role in the education and development of our students. However, we also recognise the need to ensure that our children are safe and responsible when using the internet and digital devices. As part of our commitment to our core values of respect, kindness, responsibility, consideration, and endeavour, we have created this guide to help parents navigate the online world and keep their children safe.

Understanding the Risks

The internet can be a wonderful resource, but it also comes with potential risks, such as:

• Exposure to inappropriate or harmful content
• Cyberbullying and online harassment
• Sharing of personal information and data privacy concerns
• Addiction and excessive screen time

As parents, it's essential to be aware of these risks and take proactive steps to mitigate them.

Establishing Boundaries and Guidelines

We encourage parents to work with their children to establish clear boundaries and guidelines for internet and device usage. This may include:

• Setting time limits and screen-free zones
• Monitoring and supervising online activities
• Discussing appropriate online behaviour and the importance of being a good digital citizen
• Implementing parental controls and content philtres

By working together, we can help our students develop the skills and habits they need to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Fostering Open Communication

We believe that open communication is key to keeping our children safe online. We encourage parents to:

• Have regular conversations with their children about their online activities and experiences
• Encourage their children to come to them if they encounter any issues or concerns
• Stay informed about the latest trends and developments in digital technology and online safety

By fostering open communication and building trust, we can help our students feel empowered to make safe and responsible choices when using the internet and digital devices.

Resources and Support

We are committed to supporting our families in keeping their children safe online. We have compiled a list of helpful resources and organisations that can provide additional information and guidance:

• Childnet: Childnet offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, and to find out where to get more help and support. Visit their website at https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers.

• UK Safer Internet Centre: The UK Safer Internet Centre provides a range of resources and guidance to help parents support their children in staying safe online. They also have a helpline for reporting and removing harmful online content. Visit their website at https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers.

• Internet Matters: Internet Matters provides age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls, and practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world. Visit their website at https://www.internetmatters.org/.

• Parentzone: Parentzone provides help for parents and carers on how to keep their children safe online. They offer advice, resources, and online courses on various aspects of online safety. Visit their website at https://parentzone.org.uk/.

• NSPCC Online Safety: The NSPCC provides guidance and resources on online safety for parents, including information on cyberbullying, online grooming, and sexting. Visit their website at https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/.

Remember, keeping our children safe online is a shared responsibility, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Below are some useful documents for parents to read involving online safety. These PDFs can be downloaded onto your phone and are handy for helping you make a decision on the software you wish for your children to use.