As a school, we take Online Safety incredibly seriously. The internet and social media offer fantastic learning opportunities but they also pose risks to children and adults. Within school, we use Project Evolve to support our delivery of Online safety. The progression in learning can be seen within our PSHE progression. Opportunities for reinforcement of knowledge also takes place throughout the curriculum and within computing. The nature of the online world means that it is ever changing and keeping up can be a challenge. There are many resources to help you with this, if you would like to learn more about the various elements of Online Safety – we would recommend that you visit the following sites.
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- Think U Know / CEOP Education – this site has a section for parents/carers, it provides advice about different online risks and shares information about supporting organisations and how to report any of your concerns. There is also a ‘home safety activities’ section – which has videos and activity sheets to complete at home.
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- Internet Matters – this site has been designed for parents/carers and aims to arm them with the information of how to keep their children safe online. You can filter the information by ‘issue’ or ‘age’, but there’s also information about how to set parental controls, guides for different apps and a gaming advice hub. If your child has any Special Educational Needs, you may also find the Inclusive Digital Safety Hub
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- Childnet – this site provides help, support and advice for parents/carers about a whole-range of online issues and behaviours. There is also guidance about how you can best support your child if they come to you with a concern, and then downloadable resources to support with screen time, transitions and general wellbeing.
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- Vodafone Digital Parenting – this site has lots of different articles written by parents, for parents, all about how to support your children to stay safe whilst enjoying life online. There are downloadable stories with online safety twists and downloadable parent magazines – helping you to stay up to date about the latest online apps, games and risks.
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- Parent Zone – this site was created specifically for parents, carers, and families – it aims to be educational but supportive and is designed to fit around family life. This site has a parents section, a library with advice about a huge range of apps and games, a blog and a help and support page with links to lots of organisations. Parent Zone also offer newsletters, a podcast and regular free events (usually on YouTube).
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- NSPCC – this site has advice and guides for parents/carers about keeping their children safe online. There is specific support around conversations, online wellbeing and parental controls. The NSPCC also have a site to support families whose children have SEND.
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- National Online Safety – this site provides free downloadable parent/carer guides about specific apps or online behaviours to be aware of. The site also offers free short courses for parents and carers about online safety – there are different courses depending on the age of the children – 3-7, 7-11, 11-14 and 14-18.
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- UK Safer Internet Centre – this site has guides for parents and carers about the different devices their children may have access to, as well as guides for the different social media sites and conversation starters. You can also filter the information to look at specific online issues and each page then has related resources.
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- East Midlands Cyber Secure – this site has information for parents/carers about cyber security. They have a range of videos with advice about setting parental controls, understanding your home internet, how to stay safe when gaming and scams to be aware of. EMCS are also starting to run regular events online, which are free to attend. This site has information about Cyber Choices, a programme to support children in using their cyber skills in a safe and legal way.
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- EE Phone Smart – this site has help and advice for parents and carers, and hosts the ‘EE Phone Smart’ interactive learning programme for children. This programme is free, it aims to support children as they get their first/new phone and helps them to learn how to stay safe as they have fun online.