Online Safety

The use of technology is a largely positive aspect of modern life, as well as playing an important role in the everyday lives of children, young people and adults. As part of supporting pupils at Colgate to develop a positive attitude to technology, we feel e-safety is an integral and important part within the curriculum to equip children with the knowledge and skills to access the internet safely and responsibly. In school, we have filters and control over the different devices we use, and any e-safety incidents are recorded and managed as part of our safeguarding process. 

E-safety is specifically taught to all classes as part of the curriculum and reinforced throughout the year. Lessons educate pupils on e-safety issues, teaching them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to remain both safe and legal when using the internet and related technologies, in and beyond the context of the classroom. While the use of technology opens a world of entertainment, information, opportunity and knowledge, we cannot ignore the risks that can be associated amongst the constant and fast-paced evolution of the online world. We do everything we can to keep pupils safe while they are online in school and give them the skills to keep themselves safe too. 

Throughout school, we aim to teach children:

·       The impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected.

·       To be vigilant when communicating online, recognising that people may not always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.

·       To tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.

·       To question the reliability of information given through a web-based source.

·       To search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.

·       The impression we give to others including future employees.

·       The permanence of what is shared as once something is shared, you cannot get it back.
 

A useful way to remember these points, is ChildNet's SMART internet safety rules. This is something we explore within our e-safety lessons to ensure children remember these key aspects of staying safe online.

We understand that much of our pupils' use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters. We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with parents to ensure the e-safety message is consistent. It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online. We understand that this the technology children use every day can seem a bit daunting and you might worry about the risks your child can face online – such as bullying, contact from strangers or the possibility of them seeing illegal or inappropriate content. A good starting point may be the use of search engines designed for children, such as ‘Kiddle’, ‘Kids Click’ and ‘BBC Schools’, or, engaging with your child/ children regarding their use of the internet at home. 

Below is a list of useful websites, advice and resources we have pulled together that you may find helpful when navigating the issue of online safety with your child. They are resources aimed at educating and advising parents of what they can do. At the very bottom of this page are resources your child can directly access as well to help them learn about online safety in addition to our school curriculum. 

We hope that the information on this page is useful and informative. Should you have any concerns specific to your child, or if you would like to talk anything through with a member of staff, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher in the first instance. 
However, if you or your child has any concerns regarding something you have seen or heard on the internet, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Leads - Mrs Winn and Mrs Forrest. 

You may also wish to contact CEOP. This is the National Crime Agency centre for Child Protection and Online Protection Command.

Websites
A comprehensive new web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. It is a portal designed for parents to access simple, easy and practical advice about online safety for their children from pre-school to teens. It provides tips of protecting children from online grooming, cyberbullying, privacy and identity theft and inappropriate content. It is a not-for profit organisation set up by BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media. Some of their guidance is in a document attached below, but you can find even more information by visiting the link.
 
National Online Safety - https://nationalonlinesafety.com/
National Online Safety’s mission is to make the internet a safer place for children. They aim to do this by equipping school staff, parents and children with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and how best to react should an incident arise. The link above provides up to date information about a wide variety of social media apps and platforms your child might be using.
 
The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can learn, play, create and connect – opening up a wide world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child is staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe.
 
Childnet - https://www.childnet.com/  
Childnet international is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. The link above is packed with resources; it is a great resource for parents. 
 
CEOP - https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/  
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is part of the National Crime Agency and their website can be used to report if you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating online.
 
ThinkUKnow - https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/professionals  
ThinkUKnow is a website brought to you by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre.
 
BBC - https://www.bbc.com/ownit  
The BBC have a website and app called ‘Own it’. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments children need it most.
 
SafetoNet - https://safetonet.com/en-gb/  
SafeToNet is technology that educates children ‘in the moment’ as they use their device. It is a safeguarding assistant that helps them become responsible and safe digital citizens. Its power lies in a smart keyboard that detects risks in real-time. It steers children away from trouble by filtering harmful outgoing messages before they can be sent and any damage can be done.

Resources for children
Below are some links that children themselves can access for help when navigating the tricky subject of online safety. 

Key Stage 1 
These links are tailored for children in the younger year groups: 

Guides to Apps and Social Media

The number of apps and social media channels your child could be exposed to grow all the time, as does an app’s functionality. We recommend you visit Net Aware to read the latest and most current advice on over 70 apps to ensure you know what they do, how you can limit their features as well as recommended age restrictions. 

https://www.net-aware.org.uk/  

The apps included are: 

- Fortnite 
- Instagram 
- Snapchat 
- YouTube 
- Minecraft 
- Clash of Clans and Clash Royale 
- Kik 
- Friv 
- Dubsmash 
- Wink 
- YOLO 
- Tiktok 
- and many, many more.