Online Safety
I don't feel safe online. What should I do?
If you have seen something on the internet that worries you, please tell an adult straight away.
If you are being bullied online or you are receiving hurtful text messages please:
- Don’t reply: most of the time the bully is looking for a reaction when they’re teasing or calling someone nasty names.
- Save the evidence: save emails or text messages or screen shots. This will help you report the bullying.
- Tell someone: tell a trusted adult if you are being online bullied.
- Report to childline: Childline provides confidential support to children and young people online, on the phone, anytime - 0800 1111 or Childline.org.uk
At Patcham Junior School we believe that everybody has the right to feel safe. Bullying and online bullying are defined in our Relationships, Behaviour and Anti-bullying Policy. This policy also shows the clear steps we take when bullying is reported.
Should my child be using that app?
| We always recommend that our school community uses Common Sense Media, a website that rates movies, TV shows, books, and more so parents can feel informed about the choices they make for their kids. This website helps families as they navigate the challenges and possibilities of raising kids in the digital age. Learn how they rate and review. |
How do I keep my child safe online?
Explore together - Ask your child to show you their favourite websites and apps and what they do on them.
Chat little and often about online safety - Ask if anything ever worries them while they’re online.
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.
Be non-judgemental - Explain that you would never blame them for anything that might happen online.
Supervise their online activity - Keep the devices your child uses in communal areas of the house such as in the living room or kitchen where an adult is able to supervise.
Talk about how their online actions affect others - Remind them to consider how someone else might feel before they post or share something.
TikTok
What age is TikTok recommended for? Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+ mainly due to the privacy issues and mature content. TikTok requires that users be at least 13 years old to use the full TikTok experience.
Our online safety code
- I always ask permission from a teacher before using the internet.
- I only use the internet when there is an adult supervising me.
- I never use anyone else’s username and password.
- I am always polite and kind when I post things on websites.
- I will report any unpleasant websites or comments to my teacher immediately.
- I never give my full name, home address or telephone number when I’m on the internet.
- I never arrange to meet anyone when I'm using the internet.
- I never use my personal email account or any social networking sites while I'm at school.
- If I bring a mobile phone to school, I have signed the school's mobile phone contract, I only use it to contact my parents/carers, and I place it in my school bag during school hours.
10 essential tips for children
- Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, email address or mobile number.
- Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself. Once you’ve put a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore.
- Keep your privacy settings as high as possible
- Never give out your passwords
- Don’t befriend people you don’t know
- Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online. Speak to your parent or carer about people suggesting you do
- Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are
- Think carefully about what you say before you post something online
- Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude
- If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, turn off your computer if you want to and tell a trusted adult immediately.
How do you educate children to build knowledge, skills and capability when it comes to online safety?
At the start of each school year, each class completes a unit of online safety learning.
We also take part in 'Safer Internet Day' - every class takes part in activities and a competition.
Most importantly we talk with our pupils about online safety. We ask if anything ever worries them while they’re online.
How do we educate and support parents about online safety?
- In September, at the 'meet the teacher' afternoon, your child's new class teacher will discuss and present how to keep your child safe online.
- Every term, Mr Reed will cover one of the online safety risks: content, contact and conduct in assembly in school. This will be followed up by a letter home and a loom video of the presentation for families to view at home.
- Every other year, shortly after Safer Internet Day, parents are invited to a workshop about online safety. During this session, parents and carers can find out what the children have been learning about. They are also given up to date information about threats and opportunities online.
The most useful part is an open discussion, when parents and carers share their own experiences and support each other.
Useful Links
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We strongly advise you to set up a (free) account with https://parentinfo.org/ and they will keep you up to date with guidance on online safety issues.
For superb online safety activities, check out this website: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Support-tools/home-activity-worksheets/
- Common Sense Media
