Online Safety Advice

We are committed to ensuring that students are safe when using the internet at Edmonton County School. We understand the benefits technology can have on enhancing the curriculum and pupils’ learning; however, we must ensure that pupils respect school property and use technology appropriately. To achieve this:

• The school implements an online safety policy, which can be downloaded here

• All students are expected to abide by the ‘ICT student acceptable use agreement’ which outlines our expectations of pupils when using technology, whether this is on personal or school devices and on or off the school premises. ICT student acceptable use agreement can be downloaded here

• We have an online safety curriculum from Key Stage 2 through to Key Stage 4. The curriculum content is summarised here

However, much of a child’s internet usage occurs outside of school, and we ask parents/carers to be interested, supportive and vigilant to their children’s usage. This page has been designed to give you information that will support you in doing this.

Children and young people go online to connect with friends, and make new ones, to browse the internet for information, chat with others and play games.

• Search for information or content on search engines, such as Google and Bing
• Share images and watch videos through websites or mobile apps like Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok
• Use social networking websites like WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook
• Play games alone or with others through websites, apps or game consoles
• Chat and share live video of themselves with other people through online games, game consoles, and social media.

The devices, apps, websites and online social media that young people use are constantly evolving. For the most up-to-date advice, we recommend that parents / carers use the range of guides for found at https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers and also at www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/#guides

When online, children and young people can learn new things, get help with homework, express themselves creatively and connect with friends and family. However, there are also risks. By understanding and talking about the dangers you can help keep your child safe online. Potential risks include:

• Exposure to pornography and explicit images
• Coerced online child sexual abuse
• Sexting and sharing of nude and inappropriate images
• Exposure to extremist and terrorist material
• Grooming
• Gambling
• Online bullying, trolling and abuse
• Excessive spending on ‘in-app’ purchases

Understanding the potential risks and encouraging safe and responsible use of the internet are crucial steps towards ensuring the safety of your child. Parents and carers play a key role in supporting children to learn about how to stay safe online, and they are one of the first people children turn to if things go wrong. We know it can be difficult to stay on top of the wide range of sites and devices that young people use, so we hope that the following advice helps.

• Have ongoing conversations with your children about staying safe online
• Carry out spot checks on the devices that your children use, looking at images, videos, and social media
• Use safety tools on social networks and other online services, e.g. privacy settings
• Decide if you want to use parental controls on your home internet
• Understand devices and the parental control tools they offer. A useful guide can be found on the UK Safer Internet Centre website: https://saferinternet.org.uk/online-issue/parental-controls

If you are concerned that your child is in immediate danger, call 999. If it is a less immediate concern, you should contact your local police station.

If you’re worried that your child is being groomed online or sexually exploited, you should also report your concerns to the Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre (CEOP). You can report your concern through their website: www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre

If you are concerned that your child is being bullied at school or online, you should contact your child’s Progress Leader in the first instance. – link to Pastoral Care page You may also want to contact a member of the school’s Designated Safeguarding Team – Safeguarding

Other useful websites are:

Think you know: www.thinkyouknow.co.uk

Get Safe Online: www.getsafeonline.org