Keeping Safe on the Internet
At Bradwell Village School we take e-Safety very seriously.
Within the school network, all our computers and email systems are monitored to ensure our children stay safe online. The Internet connection at school is filtered and protected using the most up to date technologies to help ensure that we provide quality access to the Internet to enhance learning.
We have a comprehensive e-safety policy along with acceptable use policies for staff and pupils, these are available to view on our school policies page. We begin each term by reviewing Internet Safety with the children to ensure they understand how to keep themselves safe online, before having access to the internet.
We all realise how important it is to keep our children safe when they are online and using the Internet. Please have a look at this website by Internet Matters. You will find lots of tips and advice on how each member of the family can stay safe as possible when surfing the web.
Internet safety checklist for pre-school children
More and more pre-schoolers are using their parents’ computers, smartphones or tablets to play games, use apps, and watch their favourite TV shows. There are simple things you can do to make sure younger siblings using the internet safely.
Explore together
Talk to your child about what the internet is and explore it together so you can show them all the great fun and educational things they can do.
Put yourself in control
Install parental controls on your home broadband. Most internet-enabled devices also allow you to set parental controls so you can manage what content your child can see and how they interact with others online.
Use passwords
Keep your devices out of reach and set passwords on all your internet-enabled devices and don’t share them. Then you’ll know when and where your child is accessing the internet. You can also make sure they’re not making additional purchases when they’re playing games or using apps.
Search safely
Use safe search engines such as Swiggle or Kids-search. You can save time by adding these to your ‘Favourites’. Safe search settings can also be activated on Google and other search engines, as well as YouTube.
Internet safety checklist for Primary School aged children
Early use of digital technology has been shown to improve language skills and promote children’s social development and creativity. But it’s not without risks for young children, who may come across inappropriate content or begin to copy what older children do online.
Agree boundaries
Be clear what your child can and can’t do online – where they can use the internet, how much time they can spend online, the sites they can visit and the type of information they can share. Agree with your child when they can have a mobile phone or tablet.
Explore together
The best way to find out what your child is doing online is to ask them to tell you about what they do and what sites they like to visit. If they’re happy to, ask them to show you. Talk to them about being a good friend online.
Put yourself in control
Install parental controls on your home broadband and any internet-enabled devices. Set up a user account for your child on the main device they use and make sure other accounts in the household are password-protected so that younger children can’t access them by accident.
Use airplane mode
Use airplane mode on your devices when your child is using them so they can’t make any unapproved purchases or interact with anyone online without your knowledge.
Stay involved
Encourage them to use their tech devices in a communal area like the lounge or kitchen so you can keep an eye on how they’re using the internet and also share in their enjoyment.
Talk to siblings
It’s also a good idea to talk to any older children about what they’re doing online and what they show to younger children. Encourage them to be responsible and help keep their younger siblings safe.
Search safely
Use safe search engines such as Swiggle or Kids-search. You can save time by adding these to your ‘Favourites’. Safe search settings can also be activated on Google and other search engines, as well as YouTube.
Check if it’s suitable
The age ratings that come with games, apps, films and social networks are a good guide to whether they’re suitable for your child. For example, the minimum age limit is 13 for several social networking sites, including Facebook and Instagram. Although sites aimed at under-10s like Moshi Monsters and Club Penguin also have social networking elements.
Avoid any live video/interaction programme. You do not know who you are talking to.
Some useful links for parents:
- Internet Matters website which offers E Safety advice.
https://www.internetmatters.org/ - Net Aware is a website that offers advice about social networking
https://www.net-aware.org.uk/ - NSPCC website has a lot of useful resources
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ - Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre
https://ceop.police.uk/
Internet Safety Week
Each February, Bradwell Village School takes part in Internet Safety Day. Information on this can be found at www.saferinternetday.org.uk. This allows children to take part in a range of exciting activities that explore internet safety, as well as celebrating what a fantastic resource the internet is.