Child Online Safety
We believe that our children should use technology to enhance their learning, and in doing so, they should do everything to keep themselves and others safe.
The four big internet providers in the UK—BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media—provide their customers with free parental controls which can be activated at any time. They have come together to produce these helpful video guides to help you download and set up the controls offered by your provider.
For more information on how to set up smartphones and social media, entertainment and search engines, broadband and mobile networks, or social media, please use the following link:
Online Safety Reporting Tool for Parents and Children
It may be that you, or your child come across something upsetting or concerning online. It is important that you feel confident about what to do if you do see something inappropriate online or if your child tells you they’ve seen something.
Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Make a report to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors:
Other Useful Websites
Here are some other websites with valuable resources for online safety:
Childnet - Young People: This part of the Childnet website offers support and guidance on a wide range of online safety issues specifically for young people aged 4 to 11. Better Internet for Kids: This is a European initiative that aims to create a better internet for children and youth. It provides information, guidance and resources on online safety issues.
Our Approach to Online Safety Education
At our school, we believe in a proactive and engaging approach to online safety. We regularly discuss online safety in class and as part of our computing curriculum to ensure children understand the risks and know how to stay safe. A key part of our teaching is the SMART Rules for being safe online.
The SMART Rules
- S - Safe
Children are taught to keep personal information safe and never to give out their full name, address, phone number, school name or passwords online.
- M - Meeting
We explain the importance of never agreeing to meet someone they've only ever spoken to online. Children are told to tell a trusted adult if someone asks to meet them.
- A - Accepting
Pupils learn to be cautious about accepting files, links, or friend requests from people they don't know, as they could contain viruses or inappropriate content.
- R - Reliable
We teach children to question what they see online. They learn that not everything on the internet is true and that they should only trust information from reliable sources.
- T - Tell
This is the most important rule. Children are encouraged to always tell a trusted adult—a parent, teacher, or other trusted family member—if they see something online that makes them feel upset, worried or uncomfortable.
