Keeping your child safe online
The internet is an amazing resource which enables children to connect, communicate and be creative in a number of different ways, on a range of devices. Many children have access to, or own the latest gadgets such as tablets, smart phones and games consoles. However, the internet is always changing, and being able to keep up to date with your child's use of technology can be a challenge. Children need advice and protection when it comes to managing their lives online and it is important to talk to your child about what they do online and how they can stay safe.
In school, we regularly talk to the children about internet safety and use in assemblies, computing lessons and PSHE lessons to remind children of our e-safety rules and the importance of keeping safe o online. We also provide information for parents through newsletters reminders, leaflets and information sessions.
As a parent or carer you too play a key role in keeping your child to stay safe online.
We understand that much of our pupil's use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters.
Below are a list of useful of websites, advice and resources that you may find helpful when navigating the issue of online safety with your child and for them to use the internet safely, responsibly and positively.
At the bottom of this page are resources that your child can directly access as well to help them learn about online safety.
Useful Weblinks
| Child Exploitation and Online Protection | |
| Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online? Make a report to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors |
What is the 'Click CEOP' reporting button?
The Click CEOP button is an asset of the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. The CEOP Command works to protect children from the harm of sexual abuse and exploitation both online and offline.
The button has been developed to offer children, young people, parents/carers and professionals working with these groups with a simple and convenient mechanism for gaining access to trusted online safety advice, help and support. It also provides access to an online mechanism for reporting known or suspected child sexual exploitation or child sexual abuse directly to CEOP. This is offered as a convenient and potentially less intimidating method of reporting these sensitive types of crime, alternative to face-to-face and telephone reporting to local police forces.
The CEOP Safety Centre
The Click CEOP button provides a gateway to the CEOP Safety Centre, an area of the CEOP website offering:
- advice on a range of online safety issues, such as hacking and cyberbullying;
- signposting to NCA-CEOP partners offering help and support on issues outside of CEOP’s remit, such as ChildLine and BeatBullying;
- reporting of suspected or known child sex offender activity directly to CEOP for investigation.
Reporting to CEOP
CEOP operates a 24/7 service for the receipt of reports.
Reports can be made to CEOP by a young person or on their behalf by a parent/carer or professional working with these groups. Children under 11 years of age are encouraged to tell an adult that they trust about what has happened and to ask for their help in reporting this either to CEOP or local police.
All reports to CEOP are treated as reports of crime and as such anonymous reports cannot be accepted.
| NSPCC - Keeping Children Safe Online | |
| We won’t stop until every child is safe online. Together we can make sure it’s safe for every child to go online. We’re here to support parents with online safety advice, and we’re here for children – to protect them and help them recover from abuse. | |
| Thinkuknow | |
| Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Since 2006, it aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them. | |
| Parent Control Guides | |
| Activate parental controls with how-to guides You can use parental controls to manage screen time, block inappropriate content, prevent accidental spending and keep strangers away. Research shows they improve digital wellbeing when used alongside regular conversations about online activities. | |
| internet matters.org | |
| A comprehensive web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. Some of their guidance we attach below but you can find even more by visiting the link. | |
| National Online Safety | |
| Top tips for parents and educators. | |
| NSPCC | |
| The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect - opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe. | |
| UK Safer Internet Centre | |
| The UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC), established in 2011, is a leading global partnership helping to make the internet a great and safe place for everyone. We provide support and services to children and young people, adults facing online harms, and professionals working with children. | |
| Child Net | |
| Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. Packed with resources it is a great resource for parents. | |
| Primary Online Safety | |
| The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most. | |
| Net Smart | |
| NetSmartz is NCMEC's online safety education program. It provides age-appropriate videos and activities to help teach children be safer online with the goal of helping children to become more aware of potential online risks and empowering them to help prevent victimization by making safer choices on- and offline. | |
| Safe to Net | |
| VirusTotal does multi-scanning. It aggregates many antivirus products and online scan engines called Contributors. It allows a user to check for viruses that the user's own antivirus software may have missed. Users can also scan suspect URLs. |