ONLINE SAFETY

Online Safety Policy

Computing and the use of digital devices is seen as an essential resource to support learning and teaching, as well as playing an important role in the everyday lives of children, young people and adults.  Consequently, schools need to build in the use of these technologies in order to arm our young people with the skills to access life-long learning and employment.

Computing and ICT covers a wide range of resources including; web-based and mobile learning.  It is also important to recognise the constant and fast paced evolution of computing within our society as a whole. Whilst exciting and beneficial all users need to be aware of the range of risks associated with the use of these technologies.

• Explore online safety sites - There are lots of links to useful online safety sites for children. They are great fun to explore, so why not browse through them with your children?

• Social Media - Many of these sites have a minimum age limit of 13, so our pupils should NOT be using them. http://www.net-aware.org.uk/ has very useful reviews of social media websites/apps from parents, children and developers.                                   

• Keep your computer in a shared area - Talk to your child about what they are doing online and, if possible, set up your computer in a shared area at home so that you can all share in the wonderful sites that are available online

Cyber Protect Advice from the National Cyber Security Centre giving information on how to stay safe as criminals try to exploit individuals at this difficult time. Please click on the titles to view the documents. 

• Coronavirus Map Azorult Alert
• Cyber experts Step In
• Guidance on Home Working 
• Ransomware 
• Updating Malware and Ransomware Guidance

Here are some very useful sites for parents/carers regarding internet safety. 

https://www.childnet.com/ufiles/Young-People-and-SNS.pdf 

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

https://www.callersmart.com/guides/73/Parents-Guide-to-Internet-Safety-Keeping-Your-Child-Safe-Online#/

http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/parents-and-carers 

http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/teachers-and-professionals/safety-features

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/topics/stay-safe

https://parentinfo.org

https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers

Watch the parents’ and carers’ guide to the internet.

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

A parents' guide to Facebook.

http://www.connectsafely.org/pdfs/fbparents.pdf

www.internetmatters.org/controls/interactive-guide/

www.net-aware.org.uk

SAFETY ADVICE

 For parents there are Parental Control/Tools that can be used to limit features of games consoles and mobile phones so that the risks of the technology being misused are reduced.