Online safety for parents

Online Safety-Advice for Parents

Online safety is something as adults we all have a responsibility to know about and act on.

The online world expands at an almost indescribable rate and it can be easy to feel left behind!

Online safety at school-What we do.

At Horton Grange we aim to ensure that the children are equipped with the knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe online.

• Each computing unit starts with online safety lessons, online safety discussions are part of the PHSCE curriculum and we take part in Safer Internet Day every year.
• We post online safety advice on our Facebook page and talk to the children about online safety in assemblies.
• Children’s internet use is filtered and monitored in school so that every time the children log on they know their digital footprint is clear. Children agree to a set of rules every time they log on through an acceptable use policy and they sign an agreement when they bring a mobile phone into school.
• All staff undertake PREVENT training so we know the signs of children being groomed online by extremist/radical groups or individuals.

Online safety at home-What you can do?

• Apply parental settings to all devices that your child uses.
• Have the conversation-take an interest in what your child is viewing online and talk to them about their online life.
• Take note of age limits on games-they are there for a reason. Games with an 18 certificate can contain scenes of extreme violence and other content not appropriate for primary aged children.
• Monitor their social media. All social media (snapchat, instagram, facebook, TikTok and Whatsapp) all have an age limit of 13 years old. Some children may choose to use social media. Please monitor their use as many of the issues that subsequently come into school are linked to children’s interactions over social media.
• Talk to them about online safety and where to go if they feel worried by what they have seen or read
• Keep the balance! Keep an eye on how much online activity your child has and try to keep the balance with some non-screen activities.
• Protect sleep. Ensure your child is ready for a busy day at school by ensuring devices are off well before they go to sleep and if necessary remove devices from bedrooms.

Safer Internet Day 2023

Safer Internet Day 2023 will take place on the 7th of February 2023, with celebrations and learning based around the theme ‘Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online’.

Further advice

There are great sites where you can get further information and advice-plus you can always contact school if you want advice or help with online safety

https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers

 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/#guides

 https://www.youngminds.org.uk/media/nkvbqk20/online-safety-updated-feb-2020.pdf

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

https://www.internetmatters.org/