What does online safety mean?
Online safety is about protecting children while they are online. It is an important part of our curriculum as it helps us to protect and educate your child when they are using technology, as well as well as making sure we have tools in place to support if things go wrong.
Computers and mobile phones help us all to share things and talk to friends or family, but they can also make it easier for bullies and other dangerous people. It is important to know how to keep ourselves safe on our computer, our phone and on websites.
We teach children the SMART rules to keep safe online:
- S - SAFE: Keep safe by being careful not to give out personal information to people, including your full name, address and phone number.
- M - MEETING: Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous, you should never meet up with someone you have met online.
- A - ACCEPTING: Accepting emails and instant messages or opening files, pictures or texts from people you don't know or trust can lead to problems and they may contain dangerous viruses. If you are not sure about something you have received, delete it and then find a grown up you trust and tell them.
- R - RELIABLE: Remember that information you find on the internet may not be true, and that someone you are talking to online may be lying about who they are.
- T - TELL: Tell your parents or a trusted adult if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried online. Examples of trusted adults could be your teacher or your headteacher.
Online risks
The internet is great but there are some risks to be aware of while online. These include:
- Cyberbullying, including receiving unkind text messages and emails.
- People who are lying about who they are so that they can talk to you.
- Looking at online material which is not suitable for children and may be upsetting.
- Being exposed to computer viruses that can damage devices by opening emails and messages.
- Strangers finding out your personal or private information that you have shared online.
- People who are sharing false or hateful information to try and persuade you to believe something that isn’t true.
- People who are encouraging you to take part in something bad or illegal.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying includes any kind of bullying which takes place online; cyberbullies send unkind messages over the internet and sometimes share secret information online to hurt someone’s feelings. Cyberbullying can include the following:
- Sending threatening, scary or upsetting text messages, emails or instant messages
- Sending threatening, private or embarrassing pictures and video clips via mobile phones.
- Making prank phone calls or using someone else’s phone to harass others, to make them think someone else is responsible
- Posting private, unpleasant or untrue information about other people to blogs, personal websites and social networking sites
Cyberbullying is not allowed under any circumstances and incidents of cyberbullying will be dealt with quickly by the school.
Who to talk to
If a child is worried about something, we encourage them to talk to an adult in school. This could be their teacher or any other staff member. We want to provide a safe environment for our children online, at school, and at home.
Advice for parents
To help your child stay safe online we encourage you to have an ongoing conversation with them. Continue to talk about the apps, games and sites they like to use, and what they like and don’t like and any concerns about being online. Discuss with them when to unfollow, block or report.
Make sure your child knows where to go for support. Remind them they can always speak to you or an adult they trust if anything happens online that makes them feel worried or upset. Remind them that they won’t be in trouble and that you are there to help.
Parents and carers, if your child is using social media, please ensure they are using social media responsibly and safely. At school we are sometimes asked by parents and carers to investigate inappropriate behaviour on social media and problems associated with social media usage. Our PSHE and RE curriculum covers the responsible use and dangers of social media and, of course, the importance of treating all members of our school and local community with respect. Be aware that most social media applications and sites require young people to be 13 before they use them.
Useful websites
https://internetmatters.org.uk/