St Benedict's
Keeping Children Safe Online
| All children use computers at school, at home or in places like libraries and clubs, and at St Benedict’s we are keen to use the benefits of the internet to support children’s learning. The internet provides children with excellent opportunities for learning and communicating with friends. But sometimes, children don’t realise that they can be as much at risk online as they are in the real world, and many parents/carers feel they don’t know enough about the internet to protect their children from the risks. |
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We have a robust policy in place to ensure we can reduce the risk of harm to our children when online. This can be viewed by clicking on the file below. The policy will be updated this academic year.
How to keep your child safe on the internet
- Talk to your child about their internet use. Your involvement is the best way to keep them safe.
- Be Positive! The internet is a fantastic resource, but just like in the real world you need to take some precautions. Do not stop your child from using the internet.
- Try not to overreact! This could simply make your child secretive about their internet use and make it harder to talk.
- Remember that this safety advice also applies to going online on a mobile phone.
- Talk to your child and set ground rules together.
- Where possible, locate all computers in a family room.
- Make sure that your child knows to NEVER reveal any personal contact details.
- Share the Top Tips for Staying Safe below with your child.
Top tips for staying safe online
- Remember that everyone you meet online is a stranger, even though they might seem like a friend.
- Always give out a nickname when you log on and never give out any details that would allow someone you meet online to contact you. This includes your full name, home or school address, email address and phone numbers.
- If you publish a picture of yourself online, remember anyone can change it or share it, or use it to try and contact you.
- Never arrange to meet up alone with anyone you make friends with online, but if you are going to make sure you take an adult you trust and meet in a public place.
- Accepting emails or opening files from people that you don’t really know can get you into trouble – they may contain viruses or nasty messages.
- Talk to an adult you know well and ask for help if you are upset or worried about anything you have been sent online.
What is cyber-bullying?
Cyber-bullying is a term that is used to describe bullying by one or more people that uses the internet or mobile phones to threaten, tease or cause deliberate embarrassment to someone. Like any other form of bullying, it can be very distressing for a child or adult to be the subject of cyber-bullying.
Cyber-bullying can involve various different methods, but some of the main ways are:
- Social networking sites
- Mobile phones
- Chatrooms or Instant Messenger
- Online gaming
Many of the apps/ social media platforms which cause issues in school, are designed for children much older than our pupils. We would ask that you carefully consider whether these platforms are suitable for your child and Monitor the usage and content carefully to ensure they are safe online. If you are worried that your child is experiencing cyber-bullying or your child has told you that they are being cyber-bullied, please speak to a member of our staff in school. You can contact the class teacher in the first instance. This year PCSO Gareth Harding has visited school on two occasions to discuss internet safety. Last year a theatre Group visited. We held a parent workshop in October and the curriculum discusses internet safety at various points throughout the year.
More support:
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/managing-social-media/
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/apps-delivering-self-help-strategies/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA1rvNvHazc&t=45s&app=desktop
https://www.internetmatters.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQlIhqQea1g
https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/schools/e-safety-for-schools/
https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/
