eSafety Guidance
Increasingly, ICT is an essential resource in supporting the learning and teaching of young people, as well as playing an important role in the everyday lives of children, young people and adults. As part of this, it is important that all users are aware of the risks associated with the use of these internet technologies and that some, such as Facebook and Instagram, have minimum age requirements, usually 13 years.
Here at St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Primary School & Nursery we understand the responsibility to educate our pupils on online safety (or ‘eSafety’) issues, teaching them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to enable them to remain both safe and legal when using the internet and related technologies, in and beyond the context of the classroom.
We take online safety extremely seriously and have made this a focus within the school. Online safety is taught throughout the year as part of both our Computing, PSHE and RHE lessons, as well as during regular assemblies and Online Safety Week activities in February. This is to ensure all pupils are aware of how to use technology safely both in and out of school and know who to approach if they have any worries or concerns about anything they have seen online. We ask all parents and pupils to sign our Online Safety Acceptable Use Agreement.
Online Safety Acceptable Use Agreement Pupil and Parent
The progression of online safety skills and knowledge ensures that children receive age-appropriate teaching to help to keep themselves safe online.
E Safety Progression of Skills
Films, Games and Apps
We teach the children how to stay safe online at school and take guidance from Herts, which can be found at thegrid.org.uk/safeguarding-and-child-protection/online-safety/online-safety-advice-to-parents-and-carers
Some children have told us they have seen films which have a 12A certificate. There are occasions when they take things they see in films and games and ‘play them out’ in the playground, which can lead to children getting hurt. We can recommend:
For films – www.imdb.com
For computer and console games – pegi.info
Many parents have found an American site called www.commonsensemedia.org useful. Please do check.
Look out for our next eSafety workshop which will give top tips and practical advice to help you make the most of excellent technology and information whilst keeping your children safe online.
More links to support you in keeping your child safe on the internet:
Zap & Zoom – A Space Race www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRQ8F0gGKaI
beinternetlegends.withgoogle.com/en_uk/parents
www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-technology