Online safety is an important part of keeping children safe and as such we would like to share some helpful advice to help you consider how you can keep your family safe online at home.
For further advice, the following links may be useful:
Childline: www.childline.org.uk
UK Safer Internet Centre’s ‘Report Harmful Content’: https://reportharmfulcontent.com
National Crime Agency Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (NCA-CEOP): www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
At Chiddingstone Nursery CIO, we ensure Online Safety is embedded throughout our Nursery curriculum. Enabling all children to develop an age appropriate understanding of online safety risks, and safe behaviours. Children need to be introduced to Online Safety, the same way they are taught to cross the road safely.
We use ICT devices, and the internet as an educational tool, to enhance the children’s learning through the wealth of knowledge that the internet provides. We ensure that the children receive all the benefits of the internet, and the digital world, while minimising the associated risks with using the internet. We actively engage all children in the importance of using the internet safely, and how they can keep themselves safe online.
We implement robust policies and procedures, alongside filtering and monitoring software to significantly reduce the risks of the internet, while maximising the opportunities.
The internet is a constantly changing environment, with new digital technologies emerging at a rapid pace. We support children to develop strategies to manage and respond to risk, and to be prepared for a life with the internet.
Chiddingstone Nursery CIO recognises that parents/carers play an essential role in enabling children to become safe, and responsible users of the internet, and emerging digital technology. We actively encourage and provide parents/carers with a wide range of materials to discuss online safety issues with their children, and to reinforce safe online behaviors at home.
Parental Tips and Advice
There are 4 useful ways in which you can introduce your children to online safety, and to demonstrate safe behaviour online, these are: –
1) I only go online with a grown up
2) I am kind online
3) I keep information about me safe
4) I tell a grown up if something online makes me unhappy
- Keep your computer or laptop in a family or shared area, but be aware that children can also access the internet on mobile phones, games consoles, tablets, voice activated devises such as Google Home, Amazon Echo, Smart Watches, and Bluetooth enabled devises.
- Install antivirus software, secure your internet connection, and research different Parental Control functions, and software for computers, mobile phones and games consoles to block unsuitable content, or contact from unknown people.
- Parental controls are not always 100% effective, and sometimes unsuitable content can get past them, so don’t rely on them alone to protect you child.
- Most popular social networking sites, and apps, such as Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram have a minimum age limit of 13.
Useful Websites for more Information and Guidance:
- As part of Safer Internet Day, Kent Police have produced materials that are age appropriate (4-19) and include activities parents can do with their children to make them think about safe, trustworthy internet use.
The IWF: www.iwf.org.uk
- The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is the UK hotline for reporting illegal online content, such as child abuse images, or material considered to be criminally obscene. The IWF actively works to identify and safeguard children involved, as well as getting illegal images and videos removed from the internet.
Parent Port: www.parentport.org.uk
- Run by the UK’s media regulators, Parent Port enables parents and professionals to report inappropriate online material, such as videos, adverts or news articles.
Home Office: www.gov.uk/report-terrorism and www.educateagainsthate.com
- The government have introduced a button for reporting online material which promotes terrorism or extremism and an educational website with advice and information for parents.
NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk/onlinesafety and www.net-aware.org.uk
- The NSPCC have teamed up with 02 to provide information and advice for parents, as well as a free online safety helpline. They have also produced Net Aware, where they have reviewed some popular apps young people are using, including age ratings and how easy it is to report problems.
Internet Matters: www.internetmatters.org
- Internet Matters is a not-for-profit organisation working with online safety experts to provide advice and information for parents. It has an interactive tool which provides step by step guides to setting up parental controls on different devices, as well as video tutorials and guidance about specific concerns.
Childnet: www.childnet.com
- Childnet has a wealth of resources, including; leaflets, top tips, screen time guides, conversation starters and resources for parents/carers.
Parent Zone: www.theparentzone.co.uk and www.parentinfo.org
- Parent Zone provides up-to-date content on a variety of parenting concerns, including online safety. In collaboration with Vodafone, they have produced Digital Parenting magazine, which settings can order for free or can link to online.
UK Safer Internet Centre: www.saferinternet.org.uk
- UK Safer Internet Centre provides advice and guidance on online safety. Their website is aimed at professionals, but their parent guides to technology and social media checklists are valuable resources to share with parents or link to on the school website: www.swgfl.org.uk/products-services/esafety/resources
Get Safe Online: www.getsafeonline.org
- Get Safe Online covers practical information on protecting families against fraud, identity theft, viruses and other problems encountered online.
BBC Own It: bbc.com/ownit
- BBC Own It app is for young people getting their first phone will have a new way to help them have a happier, healthier, more positive life online.
Parent Info: www.parentinfo.org/article/learning-disabilities-autism-and-internet-safety
The National Autistic Society: www.autism.org.uk/technology
Vodafone Digital Parenting Magazine: www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/digital-parenting