Safe use of the Internet

The internet is part of children’s everyday lives. It provides them with lots of educational opportunities, helps them to keep in touch with family and friends and opens up a world of information and experiences.

Whether on a computer at school, a laptop at home, a games console or mobile device, children are increasingly accessing the internet in a variety of ways.

If your child understands the risks and can make sensible choices online, they will make the most of the internet and stay safe whilst doing so. Particularly, they will be protected from people who might seek to harm them.

At St Georges we know how much our children enjoy using IT and we want them to be confident and safe users of the internet and new technologies as they develop.

There are several things that you can do to help your children keep themselves safe online. Here are a few things that you might try:

• Keep the computer in a communal area of the house, where it’s easier to see what your children are viewing.  Only allow tablet use when with an adult.
• Encourage your children to tell you if they feel uncomfortable, upset or threatened by anything they see online.
• Children learn quickly and often know far more than us about IT. Go online with your children and learn from them. It will help you get involved with their online activities.
• Talk to your children and come up with your own family rules for using the internet. Remember that what’s acceptable for a teenager isn’t necessarily OK for a primary school-aged child, so get their input.
• Talk to children about what personal information is and why you should never give it to people online.
• If children use chat or e-mail, talk to them about never meeting in person with anyone they first “met” online.
• Be aware of any other computers your child may be using at friends’ houses etc. or mobile phones they may be using to access the internet.
• Look online for safety advice for children and parents. There are lots of sites that have games and quizzes that teach e-safety in a fun way.
• Web sites for children are not permitted to request personal information without a parent’s permission
• The age limit for using most social media sites is 13
   
• Link to Vodaphone's Digital Parenting Magazine

What is TikTok?

• Barclays Bank Digital Eagles
  Support for adults wishing to improve their skills and knowledge when using the internet

• NSPCC Share Aware
  Resources from NSPCC about helping to keep children safe when social networking

• Common Sense Media Parent Concerns
  Age-appropriate advice for parents regarding 'digital dilemmas' such as screen time and cyber bullying