Children at Christ Church C of E Junior School’s use the Internet on a regular basis as part of their learning. In school, we have regular ‘e-safety’ activities to remind children of the importance of keeping themselves safe online.
At home children sometimes have unsupervised access to the Internet. This allows them access to all kinds of society, both good and bad, and bring them virtually into their homes.
How you can help
These top tips have been written for parents/carers to help you support your child to stay safe and happy online.
Be role models on how to stay safe online
Just like in their offline lives, children need role models online too. Set clear and fair expectations about how the whole family should use the internet and demonstrate these yourself.
A Family Agreement is a great way to start conversation and put all of your ideas down on paper, to refer back to later and adapt as your child grows older and internet use changes.
Have regular discussions about online safety.
Having regular and open conversations with your child about their use of technology and the internet is the best way to stay up to date with what they are doing and seeing online and with the ever-changing online world.
Starting these conversations can sometimes feel daunting, but they can help you feel more informed and show your child that you are taking an interest in their online life. Not sure where to begin – use the conversations starters in the tab below.
Manage influence by researching the content and games your child enjoys the most
Giving young people the opportunity to talk about their life online and enjoying online content together can be a great way to gain an insight into the content they are viewing. Together, research websites, apps and games and find out more about specific content.
Know where to go for further support
If your child needs help online, it’s important you know where to go for further support. Using the report and block buttons and websites such as ‘Report Harmful Content’, is a great starting point.
It can also be useful to discuss any concerns or worries with your child’s school as they may be able to offer further advice and guidance. It can also help to talk to other parents/carers who may have experienced something similar.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection
CEOP is the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre – this is the National Crime Agencies website and is full of useful information for parents and children.
If you have any immediate concerns or any online issues, click on the link below to make a CEOP Report. You will receive help, advice and support.
http://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Here are some useful links and guides to help you to keep your children safe online:
http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers
http://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
- Online Safety Policy