Online Safety
On this page we will provide information that we hope will help you manage your child's online safety. We have also added website links that will guide you further.
Click here to find the school's Online Safety Policy
Links to further information on Online Safety:-
Updates from our Stay safe Partnership
The information below is shared from our Stay Safe partners and experts in online safety matters. As a mum with a child with a growing interest in social media and phone use, and as a headteacher and DSL, who has seen the impact of easy online access is having on our children, I think the information below is excellent.
There are many negatives to but, there are also many pros to online content and access for our children, but knowing the dangers and how you can help to manage and minimise them is the safest way of giving our children the freedom and independence they seek.
Snapchat Parental information
The NSPCC reported this month that the cases of online grooming against children had risen by 89% in the past six years with almost half (41%), where a means of communication was known, occurring on Snapchat. Snapchat is a popular app used by young people within Lincolnshire. All social media apps have an age rating of 13+. We would encourage parents to carefully consider which apps are accessible to their children on their devices. When giving your child access to social media apps we would encourage you to utilise the parental controls they have available to help safeguard from potential risks. You can find out more information around Snapchat and setting up parental controls here: Social media Snapchat: guidance for parents and carers - Stay Safe Partnership – Lincolnshire County Council.
There is no silver bullet in terms of safety online and there will always be risks your child could encounter, much like the real world. Therefore we would encourage you to always keep open communication with your child around the apps and games they are using and people they are talking to. Our research has shown that children whose parents have open communication and know what they do online are 37% less likely to experience issues such as online bullying. Our top tips:
• No tech in bedrooms (or tech with door open)
Keeping technology from behind closed doors reduces the likelihood they will search for inappropriate content. It is also safer to charge devices downstairs in terms of home fire safety.
• Watch and learn about apps together
Learn about the apps and games they are interested in to better understand how it can be used positively but also to under the risks and how they manage them.
• Periodically check what they are watching
YouTube and Netflix will show you what has been recently watched. Social media can be a little more difficult to check but encourage them to show you themselves.
• Discuss together and agree boundaries
Keep talking about the good and the bad of being online, and explain why rules are necessary sometimes so they understand it’s about their safety not spoiling their fun.
For more information on setting up parental controls, screen time limits, filter controls and online risks check out www.internetmatter.org.uk