Online Safety

Are you safe online?

Gainsborough Primary and Nursery Academy recognises that electronic communications – via mobile phones, internet resources such as social networking sites, and email – play a significant role in the lives of children and young people. Their use, however, is not always safe.

When children spend time online they may be exposed to:

Advice on Internet Safety for Children

Whilst many Internet Service Providers offer filtering systems and tools to help you safeguard your child at home, it remains surprisingly easy for children to access inappropriate material including unsuitable text, pictures and movies. Parents are advised to set the security levels within Internet Explorer or other browsers with this in mind. Locating the computer in a family area where possible, not a bedroom will enable you to supervise your son or daughter as they use the Internet. Also consider mobile phones and games consoles and other devices that can access the internet. However, don’t deny them the opportunity to learn from and enjoy the wide variety of material and games available on the Internet. Instead discuss with them some simple rules for keeping safe online and making sure they understand their importance.

Simple rules for keeping your child safe

To keep your child safe they should:

  • ask permission before using the Internet and discuss what websites they are using
  • only use websites you have chosen together or a child friendly search engine
  • only email people they know, (why not consider setting up an address book?)
  • ask permission before opening an email sent by someone they don’t know
  • not use their real name when using games or websites on the Internet, (create a nick name)
  • never give out any personal information about themselves, friends or family online including home address, phone or mobile number
  • never arrange to meet someone they have ‘met’ on the Internet
  • never tell anyone what school they attend or post any pictures of themselves in school uniform
  • only use a webcam with people they know
  • tell you immediately if they see anything they are unhappy with.

Go through these rules with your child and pin them up near to the computer. It is also a good idea to regularly check the Internet sites your child is visiting e.g. by clicking on History and Favourites. Please reassure your child that you want to keep them safe rather than take Internet access away from them. Create a dialogue and a relationship of mutual respect as far as the Internet is concerned.

Please click on the link below to access the school policy on Online Safety

Some useful websites

For further information go to:

Think U Know has some fantastic 15 minute family activities about online gaming, social media, sharing images as well as useful videos.

Cyber Choices is a police initiative to educate children on what cyber activity is legal and illegal.

CEOP: www.ceop.gov.uk

When searching the Internet we recommend that you use one of the following child friendly search engines:

Yahoo! Kids:

www.kids.yahoo.com

CBBC Search:

www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/search

Downloads

Safeguarding-Top-Tips-for-New-Devices-and-Managing-Screen-Time.pdf