INTERNET SAFETY
Certificate of Commitment to Online Safety
As a school, we are always looking for ways to improve our online safety teaching. We are delighted to present our Certificate of Commitment to Online Safety, which we have been awarded for demonstrating a commitment to reviewing our teaching of online safety.
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day is celebrated around the world in February each year and we always take part!
The day runs with a global theme and activities across the day are completed to support pupils' understanding of how to stay safe online.
2020 - Free to Be! Exploring online identity
2021 - Together for a better Internet
2022 - All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online
Everyone has a part to play in making the internet a better place, including you!
Please see some Top Tips for Parents and Carers below and the attached document of how to balance screen time. .
Mr Orchard
Become internet detectives
Remind your child that not everything they read online is true….
Whether your child likes games, videos or learning about their favourite dinosaur online, it’s important they recognise that not everything they see or hear will be true. Talk about this together or find some examples you could examine as ‘internet detectives.’ Keep it simple by telling them, “The internet can be great for finding things out, but you need to remember that not everything online is true! Some things might be a joke, an opinion, a mistake, or deliberately untrue.”
Compare with trusted sources
Help to check online information and content using other websites….
It is important that your child knows that information online can be put there by anyone! Therefore, because it may be unreliable, they need to check in other places too - to see if other sources say the same thing, or something different. You can do this by looking on at least two other websites, to compare the information. Start by using websites created by organisations that you know and trust, and those that have information specifically created for children.
Use books and television
Remind your child they can also fact-check information offline….
Checking the information that you find online, can be done offline too! Ask your child if they can think of any other places that they can look for information, e.g. by looking in a non-fiction book (e.g. an encyclopaedia), by watching a TV documentary, or by asking someone who knows about the subject. You don’t have to do all these things, for every single fact that you find, but it’s important to remember that a range of offline options are available too.
Be aware of strangers
Talk about who children can and cannot trust on the internet….
There are a huge range of sites and services that allow communication between users. A good example of this is when it comes to playing online games. Explain to your child that it is safest only to talk to people online that you already know, like your family and close friends. Explore the apps that your children want to use and look for the safety / privacy settings available – they may include features that allow you to control who your child can interact with. Remember, friends made online are still strangers and so all personal information must be kept safe.
Reach out for help
Encourage your child to discuss any concerns with someone they trust….
Let your child know that the best way to address any problem they have online, is to tell a trusted adult immediately. For example, this might include someone sending them a friend request; an online message; telling them to visit a specific website, or app; or asking them for their personal information. Reassure them that if anything happens online that they are unsure about, or makes them feel worried or upset, they can come to you for help.
Do your research
Question, evaluate and reflect on the online content you see….
Remember that not everything online is always what it seems. Information, photos and even videos can be edited, faked or may have more than one motive – like trying to get you to spend money or share your personal information. If something seems odd, or you haven’t heard about it before, it’s best to do a bit more research.
Check and double-check
Use other websites and sources to fact-check online information…
Luckily there’s lots of ways to check whether things are trustworthy online. Most importantly look at more than one source – this could include other webpages, videos or offline sources like books and newspapers. Remember there are lots of adults who can support you too – like parents, other family members and teachers.
Stay safe online
Don’t share your personal details or trust strangers online…
There are some simple actions we can take to help keep everyone safe online – like not sharing personal information. Remember that other people online may not always be who they appear to be, so be sure to check with an adult if you are ever unsure about what to share or who you are chatting to online.
Take positive action
Help make the internet a more trustworthy and respectful place…
Remember that the online world is for everyone so always treat others with respect. If you see anything online that worries or upsets you, use the block and report buttons to take positive action to stop it and tell an adult what’s happened. By working together, we can make the internet a better, more respectful and more trustworthy place.
Make a difference!
List the apps and websites you know that feature reliable information…
The internet is amazing – there’s so much to see, do and learn! If you are ever unsure about something then ask an adult that you trust for some help and advice. Why not make a list together of your favourite apps and websites, including the ones you think are most trustworthy?
E - Safety
As a modern child of technological age you are likely to be as good as, if not better than your parents at using the internet.
However, as children you are still likely to face the same risks as your parents. For example , identify theft, fraud, spam and scam emails. As well as this there are more immediate threats such as inappropriate websites, cyber bullying and exposure to inappropriate images.
The internet , however, is an indispensable tool to widen your learning and improve valuable life skills.
This page will provide key information on how to stay safe whilst you are online and will provide links to websites that will help you do this.
ZIP IT
Keep your personal stuff private and think about what you say and do online
• Don't share personal information including your full name, photo, addresses, school information
• MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SET PRIVACY SETTINGS TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO PERSONAL INFORMATION
BLOCK IT
Block people who send nasty messages and don't open unknown links and attachments from people you don't know
• If someone is mean or sends nasty messages online, block them
• Words on a screen can be as hurtful as the words that come from your mouth
FLAG IT
Flag up with someone you trust if anything upsets you or if someone asks to meet you offline
• If a friend you have made online asks to meet you in the offline world, talk to your parents or an adult
Talk to someone
or
Call: Childline 0800 11 11
or
visit: www.ceop.police.uk/report
These are useful websites to go on about Internet Safety :