The online world develops and changes at great speed. New opportunities, challenges and risks are appearing all the time. It is, therefore, important to focus on the underpinning knowledge and behaviours that can help students to navigate the online world safely and confidently regardless of the device, platform or app.

Underpinning knowledge and behaviours for students include:

• How to evaluate what they see online - making judgements about what they see online and not automatically assume that what they see is true, valid or acceptable.
• How to recognise techniques used for persuasion – recognising the techniques that are often used to persuade or manipulate others. Understanding that this makes people less vulnerable to these techniques and better equipped to recognise and respond appropriately to strongly biased intent or malicious activity.
• Online behaviour – understanding what acceptable and unacceptable online behaviour looks like - that the same standard of behaviour and honesty apply on and offline, including the importance of respect for others. 
• How to identify online risks – identifying possible online risks, thinking through the consequences of acting in different ways and deciding on the best course of action.
• How and when to seek support – understanding safe ways in which to seek support if they are concerned or upset by something they have seen online.

The school teaches about Online safety (or E-safety) through our PSHE programme. Information for students regarding Online safety is on the Student page - IT Access.

Information for Parents and Carers

The school will raise parents/carers’ awareness of online safety primarily via our website and communications throughout the school year. The school’s Acceptable Use of the ICT Systems and Internet Agreement is signed by parents/carers and students to enable students to access the school computers and use the internet.

Typical websites that students will use to access educational material to support their studies include: BBC Bitesize, Sparx Maths, Seneca, Khan Academy and sites linked to published textbooks, such as Kerboodle.

Students will also be able to access the internet to research tasks, in a range of subjects, associated with the topics they are studying. We run specific filtering software, Securus, which is an industry standard monitoring application designed to protect students from cyberbullying, online grooming, explicit images, harmful websites and other threats.

If parents/carers have any queries or concerns in relation to online safety, these should be raised with the school.

The following advice is from Thinkuknow, the national online safety education programme from CEOP, the online child protection command of the National Crime Agency. Thinkuknow helps parents, carers, teachers and others keep children safe from sexual abuse, offering learning activities, advice and support for children and young people aged 4-18 and their families.

8 steps to keep your child safe online

1. Explore together: Ask your child to show you their favourite websites and apps and what they do on them. Listen, show interest and encourage them to teach you the basics of the site or app.
2. Chat about online safety little and often: Young people are likely to want to explore new apps and websites this month, whether that’s for learning or for fun. Take this opportunity to talk to them about how to stay safe on these new services, and in general. Ask if anything ever worries them while they’re online. Make sure they know that if they ever feel worried, they can get help by talking to you or another adult they trust.
3. Help your child identify trusted adults who can help them if they are worried: This includes you and other adults at home, as well as adults from wider family, school or other support services who they are able to contact at this time. Encourage them to draw a picture or write a list of their trusted adults.
4. Be non-judgemental: Explain that you would never blame them for anything that might happen online, and you will always give them calm, loving support.
5. Talk about how their online actions can affect others: If your child is engaging with others online, remind them to consider how someone else might feel before they post or share something. If they are considering sharing a photo/video of somebody else, they should always ask permission first.
6. Parental controls: Make use of the parental controls available on your home broadband and any internet enabled device in your home. You can find out more about how to use parental controls by visiting your broadband provider’s website.
7. Direct your child to age appropriate information about relationships and sex: It’s natural for young people to start exploring their sexual feelings online and adolescents are more inclined to take risks. It’s important to understand this and to talk to your child in a positive way. Thinkuknow, Brook, The Mix and Childline all provide age-appropriate information about relationships and sex that you can signpost your child to.
8. Make sure they know about CEOP: Young people can report a concern about grooming or sexual abuse to CEOP at www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ and get support from a specialist Child Protection Advisor.

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the use of digital communication tools to intentionally and repeatedly make another person feel angry, sad, or scared. It occurs through various online platforms, including social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, and mobile phones. Here are some key points about cyberbullying:

1. Definition: Cyberbullying involves spreading lies, posting embarrassing photos or videos, sending hurtful or threatening messages, and impersonating someone to send mean messages on their behalf or through fake accounts.
2. Effects: Cyberbullying can have serious consequences for mental health. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.
3. Reporting: If students experience cyberbullying, they should report it. Many platforms have mechanisms to report abusive behaviour, and reporting is essential to stop the abuse.
4. Seek Help: If a student is worried about their safety or has experienced cyberbullying, they should reach out to a trusted adult or seek professional support.

Cyberbullying: What is it and how to stop it | UNICEF

Purchasing A Smart phone for a child?

Is it the right time to get my child a Smart phone? This is something we are asked a lot by Parents. A new film by the charity Nip in the Bud discusses the hidden dangers of social media and smartphone use among children. If you are considering getting your child a phone we would urge you to watch the film here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zhfd0jW7iY&t=605s the film provides insights from children, headteachers and doctors, shedding light on the everyday harm caused by digital platforms.

Key facts:

• 90% of 11-year-olds own a smartphone, and most under 13 have a social media profile.
• 90% of girls and 50% of boys have received explicit pictures or videos they didn’t want to see.
• 80% of teenage girls are pressured to provide sexual images of themselves.
• 1 in 5 children have been bullied online. Among them, 24% self-harm and 22% change their appearance due to bullying. Only 13% delete the app where they are bullied.
• Boys as young as 13 have been targeted for sextortion scams.
• MRI scans show screen time reduces brain areas responsible for visual processing, empathy, attention, memory and early reading skills.
• Psychologists, headteachers and GPs are advocating for stricter guidelines: no smartphones until age 14, no social media until age 16

You can read more information here which provides more options to consider around technology prior to purchasing smartphones for children. Smartphones and social media fact sheet | Nip in the Bud | Free Downloadable Fact Sheet

For information about ‘dumb’ phones v smartphones please look up:

Smartphones vs dumb phones guide for parents | Internet Matters

Key Resources for Parents and Carers

There are many resources available to inform parents and carers about E-safety.  Below are some links that parents may find useful.

Thinkuknow Website - Advice for parents and carers.

Ann Craft Trust Website (ACT) - Act and the Marie Collins Foundation have collaborated to produce the resource ‘Helping my autistic child stay safe online’.

Childnet Website - Know IT All for Parents is a unique interactive e-safety guide containing advice and information for parents and carers.

Family Online Safety Institute Website (FOSI) - The Good Digital Parenting resources include videos, tip sheets, resources, blogs, and more.

Internet Matters Website - This site has a range of guides and resources aimed at helping parents and carers keep their children safe online. 

Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) - YouTube Channel. This includes talks aimed at parents and carers on online safety and a number of shorter videos on specific topics relating to e-safety.

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) - Online Safety Guides for Parents.

Parents Against Child Exploitation (PACE) Website - Information and support for parents and carers relating to child exploitation.

Parents Protect Website - Information and support for parents and carers to protect children from exploitation.

Parent Zone Website - Expert information for parents and carers about building their child’s resilience both online and off. Produced by NCA-CEOP and Parent Zone.