Online Safety at Pilton INfants'

At Pilton Infants', we are committed to helping children navigate the online world safely. With more young people accessing the internet from a variety of devices, including mobile phones, tablets, and gaming consoles, it’s important for both children and adults to understand the potential risks online and how to stay safe.

We teach safe internet use as part of our Personal Development Curriculum, during Assemblies, and on Impact Days. However, we also recognise the important role that parents and carers play in supporting their children to stay safe online.

Guidance for Parents and Carers

As children spend more time online, often unsupervised, it is crucial to create a safe environment at home. We encourage families to follow these simple steps to help ensure a safer internet experience for everyone:

• Encourage online use in family spaces: It’s a good idea for children to use the internet in shared spaces, such as the living room or kitchen, where online activity can be monitored and conversations can be had about what they’re doing online.
• Have regular conversations: Talk openly with your child about the websites, apps, and games they are using. Encourage them to come to you if they encounter anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Useful Online Safety Resources for Parents

There is a wealth of support available to help keep your child safe online. Below are some trusted websites that offer valuable advice, resources, and tools for parents and carers:

• Thinkuknow – Advice from the National Crime Agency on how to stay safe online, including tips on recognizing online abuse and exploitation.
• Internet Matters – Support for parents and carers to manage and monitor their child’s online activity and privacy settings.
• Childnet – A nonprofit organization that provides resources to help young people, parents, and teachers understand how to stay safe online.
• LGfL – The London Grid for Learning provides resources and guidance for parents on online safety, including safeguarding information.
• Net-Aware – A joint initiative by the NSPCC and O2, offering advice about the latest apps, games, and social media platforms your child may be using, and how to set them up safely.

Reporting Online Abuse or Exploitation

If you are concerned that a child is being exploited or abused online, it’s vital to act quickly. You can make a report to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) via their Safety Centre. CEOP is a national service that helps children who are at risk of online abuse and exploitation.

For urgent concerns about your child’s safety, or if they are being contacted by someone inappropriately online, do not hesitate to report it immediately.

Tips for Keeping Children Safe Online

• Set boundaries: Establish clear rules about what your child can do online, how much time they can spend, and where they can access the internet.
• Use parental controls: Many devices, apps, and internet service providers offer parental control settings to help you manage what your child can see and do online.
• Teach critical thinking: Encourage your child to think critically about the content they see and the people they meet online. Help them understand that not everything they encounter online is true or safe.
• Discuss privacy settings: Make sure your child understands how to set their privacy settings on apps, games, and social media platforms, and why it’s important to protect personal information.

Ongoing Support

We understand that the online world is constantly evolving, and new risks emerge as technology changes. That’s why we regularly review and update our online safety guidance for both pupils and parents. For additional support or advice on how to keep your child safe online, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead or visit the resources linked above.

You can also find further free advice at the National College by visiting https://nationalcollege.com/categories/online-safety.