Online safety

Keeping Children Safe Online: A Guide for Parents at St. Mary's Primary School

At St. Mary's Primary School, we are dedicated to creating a safe and secure online environment for our entire school community. This page aims to provide parents and carers with essential information and resources to help keep their children safe online.

Understanding Online Safety

In today's digital age, children are spending more time online for both educational and recreational purposes. It's important for parents to be aware of the potential risks and to take proactive steps to ensure their children's safety. Online safety encompasses various aspects such as protecting personal information, understanding cyber-bullying, managing screen time, and recognising inappropriate content.

Regular Conversations About Online Safety

Talking to your child about online safety should be a regular part of your routine, much like asking them about their day. Here are some tips for having these conversations:

Be Open and Approachable: Encourage your child to talk to you about their online experiences. Create a safe space for them to share their concerns without fear of punishment.

Age-Appropriate Discussions: Tailor your conversations to your child's age and maturity level. Younger children may need simpler explanations, while older children can handle more detailed discussions.

Use Real-Life Examples: Share stories or examples of online safety issues that are relevant to your child's interests and online activities.

Teaching Online Safety Skills

Educating your child about online safety is essential. Here are some key points to cover:

Privacy Settings: Teach your child how to use privacy settings on social media and other online platforms to protect their personal information.

Safe Browsing: Explain the importance of visiting trusted websites and avoiding suspicious links or downloads.

Reporting Issues: Ensure your child knows how to report inappropriate content or behaviour to you and to the appropriate online platform.

Utilising Parental Controls

Parental controls are a powerful tool to help manage your child's online activity. They can be used to:

Block Inappropriate Content: Restrict access to websites and content that are not suitable for children.

Set Screen Time Limits: Manage the amount of time your child spends online to ensure a healthy balance of activities.

Monitor Activity: Keep track of the websites your child visits and the apps they use.

Useful Online Tools and Resources

Here are some valuable resources to help you keep your child safe online:

NSPCC: Offers various resources on online safety, including advice on social media and gaming. They include child-friendly resources such as Talk PANTS and Techosaurus, which we also use in school. Visit NSPCC

Childnet: Provides detailed guides and toolkits for parents and carers on how to ensure children's online safety. Visit Childnet

Internet Matters: Features step-by-step guides for setting up parental controls on various devices and platforms. Visit Internet Matters

ThinkUKnow: Offers age-appropriate resources to educate children about online safety and to help parents guide them. Visit ThinkUKnow

By staying informed and engaged, we can work together to ensure the online safety of all children at St. Mary's Primary School. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.