Online safety

What does "online safety" mean?

The term online safety covers 3 areas:

1) Content e.g being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material such as extremist views.

2) Contact e.g. being subjected to harmful online interaction with others such as adults who are pretending to be young children.

3) Conduct ie personal online behaviour that increases the chance of harm or causes harm, such as online bullying or sending explicit images.

This page contains:

General advice for parents

General parent guides and conversation starters

Online safety advice sites for parents

Parent guides about online games and apps

General advice for parents

Mrs Lillycrop is the online safety lead.

The Internet has become an essential life-skill for education, business and social interaction. Internet use is a part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for staff and pupils. When using the internet, young people need to be protected from dangers including violence, racism and exploitation. Much of the material on the Internet is published for an adult audience and therefore may be unsuitable for pupils. They need to learn to recognise and avoid any potential risks – to become “Internet Wise”. Pupils need clear guidance in order to prepare them to respond appropriately to any situation, for the inevitable moment when they come across inappropriate material or find themselves in an uncomfortable situation.

Children and young people need to be empowered to keep themselves safe – this isn’t just a top down approach. Children will be children – pushing boundaries and taking risks. Teaching your child about technology should be seen as another part of keeping them safe, just like crossing the road or learning to swim.

Follow the links on this page to visit some websites with parent advice about online safety including gaming, social media and online identities. Also the colourful posters give good advice about keeping your child safe whilst using apps etc of an appropriate age for them.