Online Safety
Introduction
As educators we value the use of the internet as a teaching and learning tool; indeed internet use is part of the statutory curriculum and widely regarded as an important tool for learning. The internet is a part of everyday life for education, business and social interaction and we feel the school has a duty to provide students with quality internet access as part of their learning experience. However we are well informed of the safeguarding issues around the use of the internet and have developed a school policy for this to help children learn how to evaluate internet information and to take care of their own safety and security on-line. Our Online Safety Policy also includes an agreement for children to sign and parents to endorse outlining our online safety rules and this policy includes reference to our Acceptable Use Policy (Pupils).
We ensure all of our children are aware they can report any material they come across on the internet or any use of the internet which worries them via CEOP which is the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation and On-line Protection centre and parents and families can use this too to make a report. We recommend parents keep informed of e-safety issues and understand their child's use of the internet, whatever their age, and parents can find useful information to help them with this through THINKyouknow (8-10 years old) and Thinkyouknow (5-7 years old).
There is a really good resource call 'Digital Parenting' which is produced by Vodafone monthly and covers many questions or concerns about how to help your child use the internet safely. Please follow the link here to the online magazine. There is also a wealth of additional material in these other websites as recommended by KCC's Online Safety Officer:
- www.thinkuknow.co.uk
- www.childnet.com
- www.nspcc.org.uk/onlinesafety
- www.saferinternet.org.uk
- www.internetmatters.org
- www.net-aware.org.uk
- www.childline.org.uk
- https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/professionals/resources/play-like-share/ - resource pack of activities to support with keeping safe
These are our school's e=safety rules: Please do discuss these regularly at home with your child:
Early Years and Key Stage 1 (0-6)
- I only use the internet when an adult is with me
- I only click on links and buttons online when I know what they do
- I keep my personal information and passwords safe online
- I only send messages online which are polite and friendly
- I know the school can see what I am doing online
- I will follow these rules on the iPads, laptops and any other device I use
- I know that if I do not follow the rules then:
- I may be given a Verbal Warning, Amber Check or Red
- My parents and the Headteacher may be told
- I have read and talked about these rules with my parents/carers
- I always tell an adult/teacher if something online makes me feel unhappy or worried
- I can visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk to learn more about keeping safe online
Key Stage 2 (7-11)
Safe
- I only send messages which are polite and friendly
- I will only post pictures or videos on the internet if they are appropriate and if I have permission
- I only talk with and open messages from people I know, and I only click on links if I know they are safe
- I know that people I meet online may not always be who they say they are. If someone online suggests meeting up, I will immediately talk to an adult
Trust
- I know that not everything or everyone online is honest or truthful
- I will check content on other sources like other websites, books or with a trusted adult
- I always credit the person or source that created any work, image or text I use
Responsible
- I will follow these rules on the iPads, laptops and any other device I use I always ask permission from an adult before using the internet
- I only use websites and search engines that my teacher has chosen
- I use school computers for school work, unless I have permission otherwise
- I ask my teacher before using my own personal devices/mobile phone
- I keep my personal information safe and private online
- I will keep my passwords safe and not share them with anyone
- I will not access or change other people’s files or information
- I will only change the settings on the computer if a teacher/technician has allowed me to
Understand
- I understand that the school’s internet filter is there to protect me, and I will not try to bypass it.
- I know that my use of school devices/computers and internet access will be monitored
- I have read and talked about these rules with my parents/carers
- I can visit www.thinkuknow.co.uk and www.childline.org.uk to learn more about keeping safe online
- I know that if I do not follow the school rules then:
- I may be given a Verbal Warning, Amber Check or Red
- My parents and the Headteacher may be told
Tell
- If I am aware of anyone being unsafe with technology, I will report it to a teacher
- I always talk to an adult if I’m not sure about something or if something happens online that makes me feel worried or frightened
- If I see anything online that I shouldn’t or that makes me feel worried or upset then I will minimise the page and tell an adult straight away