Online Safety

How do I keep my child safe online?

Why is e-safety important?

The Internet and technology have changed all of our lives, particularly our children's. Although this is an amazing resource for our children to learn, communicate and enjoy, for parents and carers this opens up a whole new world of things to be aware of.
You might be struggling to keep up with the things your child is doing online. What is my child doing online? Are they safe? What risk might my child face? How do I talk to my child about what they're doing online? What can I do to keep them safe? This page aims to make online parenting simple.

 

What can I do?

Talk to your child about what they are up to online.

Be part of their online life; involve the whole family and show an interest. Find out what sites they visit and what they love about them. If they know you understand, they are more likely to come to you if they have any problems.

 

Watch Thinkuknow site films and cartoons with your child.

This has films, games and advice for children from 5 all the way to 16.

 

  • Encourage your child to go online and explore!
  • There is a wealth of age-appropriate sites online for your children. Encourage them to to use websites and apps which are fun, educational and that will help them develop online skills.
  • Keep up-to-date with your child's development online.
  • Children grow up fast and they will be growing in confidence and learning new skills daily. It's important that as your child learns more, so do you.
  • Set boundaries in the online world just as you would in the real world.
  • Think about what they might see, what they share, who they talk to and how long they spend online. It is important to discuss the boundaries at a young age to develop the tools and skills children need to enjoy their time online safely.
  • Keep all equipment that connects to the Internet in a family space.
  • It is important to keep Internet use in family areas so you can see the sites your child is using and be there for them if they stumble across something they do not want to see.
  • Know what connects to the Internet and how.
  • Nowadays even the TV connects to the Internet. Make sure you're aware of which devices that you child uses connect to the Internet e.g phone, iPad, tablet, Zbox, PlayStation, games consoles.  Find out how they are accessing the Internet - is it your connection or a neighbour's wifi? This will affect whether your safety settings are being applied.
  • Use parental controls on devices that link to the Internet, such as TV, laptops, computers, games consoles and mobile phones.
  • This is allow you to set the appropriate boundaries as your child grows and develops.

 

Top Tips for Kids

1.  Protect your password

2.  Take regular screen breaks

3.  Report anything that worries you

4.  Cover your web cam when not in use

4.  Never share personal information/contact details

5.  Don't share pictures - especially ones with your school uniform

6.  Limit your screen time - you will sleep better if you have no screen time an hour before bedtime

 

Web-links

1.  E-safety booklet

2.  Get safe online

3.  The Rough Guide to Online Safety

4.  Thinkuknow for Parents and Carers

5.  Thinkuknow: Advise About Staying Safe

6.  Internet Matters: Advise & Support

7.  Get Safe Online

 

Useful downloads:

  1.       EYFS and Key Stage 1 Poster (see below)
  2.       Key Stage 2 Poster (see below)
  3.       Mobile phones for children - a guide for parents and carers
  4.       A handbook for e-safety in the home
Young Children 6 - 10 Year Olds (Video Clip) January 2020
Eco-Schools Bronze Award
Eco-Schools
Eco-Schools Silver Award
Healthy Schools Cornwall
OFSTED Good