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Online safety
At Locking Primary School we know how much our children enjoy using IT and how it can help them to learn in lots of ways. We want them to be confident and safe users of the Internet and of new technology as it develops. It’s impossible to avoid the internet today and we wouldn’t want to stop anyone using it as it offers lots of opportunities and information. Our aim has to be teaching children to use it in the safest way possible.
What is Online Safety?
Online Safety refers to child protection and safeguarding of both children and adults in the digital world. It is about learning to understand and use technologies in a safe, positive way, also about supporting children and adults to develop safe online behaviours (both in and out of school). The Internet is part of children’s lives these days. It offers lots of educational opportunities, helps them keep in touch with friends and family and opens up a world of information and experiences. Whether on a computer at school, a laptop at home, a tablet, a games console or mobile phone, children are increasingly accessing the Internet in a variety of ways.
As part of our safeguarding commitment we have a designated Online Safety Lead, Ben Langford who has responsibility for leading our online safety committee of staff and governors. As a group we review information and develop safe practices within the school. Part of our role is also to ensure parents are kept informed of school policy.
For more information please contact the school and ask for Ben Langford.
Below are some guides to setting up and using filters and settings as a way of protecting children and young people online when they are using the most popular online platforms. Having the appropriate restrictions, filters and security settings is only part of educating children about safe online behaviours.
Having open, regular and honest conversations about why these are necessary and what these protect children and young people from is the best way to protect them from harm or unwanted behaviours whilst they are online.
TikTok Safety Settings
There are a limited number of settings within TikTok that can help to ensure that the children are safe. These settings include:
- Restricted mode - similar to YouTube restricted that tries to prevent certain content from being seen.
- Screentime management -how long children can spend in the app each day.
- Direct messages - restricting who can send the child direct (private) messages, or turn DM's off altogether.
The following devices and games have really clear guides linked to Parental Control and Restrictions. Check out the blue hyperlinks for more information!
Click on the links below for further advice:
It is really important that we give the right message to our children and young people about how we can stay safe whilst they access all forms of social media and technology.
Below are some suggestions of services and agencies that can provide this support and further information.
For practical support on privacy settings, parental controls and more call the
NSPCC online safety helpline on 0808 800 5000.
CEOP (The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) delivers a multi-agency service dedicated to tackling the abuse and exploitation of children in the real and ‘e’ world. Often it is referred to as an online 999. By clicking on the button, young people and parents can get advice on a range of issues such as viruses, hacking and dealing with bullying online.
https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Supportive Safe Agencies
Below are a list of go to guides for a range of current apps and websites. They detail the age range that should be accessing that particular site, as well as the do's and don'ts for using it safely.
Report an issue
We encourage children to tell an adult at school if there is anything that has or is worrying them online. Children can speak to any trusted adult in school. The adult will listen to their worries, give them advice and reassurance. Where appropriate, they will contact parents and pass the concern on to a senior leader so that it can be fully investigated.
Alternatively, you can report anything that is worrying you online by following the link and completing the form: https://swgflwhisper.org.uk/ or emailing the office@locking.extendlearning.org
Helping everyone report harmful content online
If you have experienced or witnessed harm online, ‘Report Harmful Content’ can help you to report harmful content online by providing up-to-date information on community standards and direct links to the correct reporting facilities across multiple platforms.
There are eight harms which you can report on: threats, impersonation, bullying/harassment, self-harm/suicide content, online abuse, violent content, unwanted sexual advances and pornographic content. Read more in detail: https://reportharmfulcontent.com/harms/
For under 18’s, there is a child-friendly advice page. Please go to: https://reportharmfulcontent.com/child/
Useful links:
When does harmful content become criminal content?
Laws about online behaviour
