E-Safety and Staying Safe Online

Internet Safety

In school, we provide staff training and regularly teach the children about the importance of keeping themselves safe online. Children with access to the internet at home should understand that as well as providing a great resource for all of us, the internet can be a very dangerous place, particularly for young, impressionable children.

As parents, your influence in helping your children to understand the dangers, as well as the opportunities the internet can bring, is paramount. It is vital that, as parents, you feel confident in ensuring your children's safe use of the internet and social networking sites. For more information, take a look at the leaflets below we have produced. These leaflets will provide helpful and practical information as to what you, as parents, are able to do to inform, protect and educate your children about the internet and how it should be used.

What is eSafety?

eSafety is not just related to the internet. It also includes risks related to the use of computers, games consoles, mobile phones, televisions and tablets. Risks posed may include -

• Access to illegal, harmful or inappropriate images or other content
• Unauthorized access to / loss of / sharing of personal information
• The risk of being subject to grooming by those with whom they make contact on the internet.
• The sharing / distribution of personal images without an individual’s consent or knowledge
• Inappropriate communication / contact with others, including strangers
• Cyber-bullying
• Access to unsuitable video / internet games

What is Digital Literacy?

Digital Literacy is a child's ability to use and access online resources in a safe, responsible and discerning way. Issues associated with this include -

• An inability to evaluate the quality, accuracy and relevance of information on the internet
• Unauthorized access to / loss of / sharing of personal information
• Plagiarism and copyright infringement
• Illegal downloading of music or video files
• The potential for excessive use which may impact on the social and emotional development and learning of the young person.

The new Computing curriculum has put a large emphasis on eSafety and ‘Digital Literacy’ and at school we work with the children to teach them how to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly. We believe that it is the right of every child to feel safe and secure when using technology.

How do we teach and promote eSafety and Digital Literacy?

• Each year, we take part in Safer Internet Day as a school, raising the profile of eSafety across the school. This year, the theme is 'All fun and games?. Exploring respect and relationships online'
• As part of our Computing Curriculum, each year group follows a set of Digital Literacy lessons designed to introduce the children to different aspects of eSafety at a level appropriate for the class. Wider issues covering conduct online are also addressed, such as respect for copyright.
• Expectations for behavior online are established in classes as part of our work on blogs and websites. Any issues are also discussed as part of class PSHE and Circle Times.
• Digital Literacy is promoted in assemblies through themed songs and age appropriate videos
• The school actively monitors online access, blocks inappropriate content and will take action if such content is attempted to be accessed within school. Any serious concerns are addressed as part of the school’s wider safeguarding actions.

Play Like Share: Episode 2

This is Play Like Share Episode 2/3 from Thinkuknow, the NCA-CEOP Command's education programme. Play Like Share aims to help 8-10 year olds learn how to stay safe online.