E-Safety is an important part of keeping children safe in our school. We have extensive security measures in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material. Any e-Safety incidents are recorded and managed. E-Safety is taught at least half termly to all our pupils, explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online.
We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with you, the parents, to ensure the e-Safety message is consistent. It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online.
Please note that no search engine is ever 100% safe, but below are some links to support you in promoting e-safety with your child, including some “safer” search engines for images for your child's homework projects. There are also guides for some of the popular apps and games used by children and the age recommendations for using each. http://www.thelink.academy/web/online_safety_/571930
For children aged 6 years and upwards, Internet Matters have created a new interactive game called The Online Together Project, which is designed to help develop critical thinking skills, and encourage a positive and inclusive culture online. Essentially, it's a question and answer game, but after each answer there is supporting advice and guidance. You can find out more here: https://www.internetmatters.org/the-online-together-project/
Netflix is hugely popular across all ages but there have been concerns in relation to age ratings and the type of content that is recommended to viewers. Like many other services, Netflix uses algorithms to determine what you might like to watch based on viewing history, what you have liked etc. Since last year, Netflix has been working with the BBFC and 100% of the content on Netflix is now age-rated to BBFC classification standards. It is the first UK streaming service to accomplish this. THIS page will guide parents how to set up a child account and choose maturity ratings.
We have been made aware of an online safeguarding risk for young people through the app "Monkey Web". The app is an online video chat service with the age, designed to attract children and has an age verification mechanism that can be easily bypassed by children of any age. You can find out more using this link: Safeguarding ALERT - Monkey Web - Ineqe Safeguarding Group
Digital Parenting | Vodafone is a site to support families online that is highly recommended by the Babcock Safeguarding team. There is advice on staying safe online, the best learning apps and a wide range of issues. It is well worth a visit.