Keeping Children Safe Online
Children at Abbeys use the Internet on a regular basis as part of their learning. Technology enhances learning, and at school we want to ensure pupils get the most from it, by encouraging responsible online behaviour.
In school, we use a filtering system to prevent children accessing inappropriate sites. We also have regular 'e-safety' activities to remind children of the importance of keeping themselves safe online.
With children and young people increasingly living their lives online, they can be exposed to a number of risks. As professionals in school, we aim to proactively support our pupils in the management and appropriate responses to these digital risks.
Online safety is taught through the Computing programmes of study from the National Curriculum as follows:
Key Stage 1 - Pupils should be taught to:
Use technology safely and responsibly, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies.
Key Stage 2 - Pupils should be taught to:
Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable and unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
For more information on how to implement online safety measures within your home, and for more information on a range of online safety issues, please visit the following websites:
- Childnet International - http://www.childnet.com/ : Age specific information for children, as well as a dedicated section for parents and carers including conversation starters, how to make reports online and how to set parental controls. Also includes example Home Internet Agreements.
- ThinkUKnow - http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ : Age specific information, advice and videos for children (5-7s, 8-10s, 11-16s), as well as specific advice for parents/carers.
- Safer Internet Centre - http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/ : A range of online safety information, including detailed app/site/device specific advice in relation to privacy settings, parental controls and filters.
- Parent Info - http://www.parentinfo.org/ : Information to help children and young people stay safe online, including articles on a range of online safety issues written by industry experts.
- Common Sense Media - http://www.commonsensemedia.org/ : Provides independent reviews, age ratings and other information on different types of media.
- Child Internet Safety Magazine - http://www.childinternetsafety.co.uk/
- How to stay safe when online gaming - Gaming: what parents and carers need to know (thinkuknow.co.uk)
If anyone acts inappropriately towards your child online, is insistent on arranging to meet them, uses sexualised language or asks your child to do something that makes them feel uncomfortable, you can report this to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre – http://www.ceop.police.uk/
Please browse our Acceptable Use and eSafety Policy on this page for more information about how Abbeys work to keep children safe online.