Online Safety

30th January 2024Laura Godley

Our pupils are growing up in a world of ever-changing technology. While we feel that the use of technology is a largely positive aspect of modern life, we cannot ignore the risks that can be associated.

Throughout school we aim to teach children:

  • about the impact of cyber-bullying and what to do if they have been affected.
  • to be vigilant when communicating online recognising that people may not always be who they say they are and to be sensible about what they share.
  • to tell an adult they trust if something is upsetting them.
  • to question the reliability of information given through a web based source.
  • to search responsibly for information while using internet browsers.

We understand that much of our pupil’s use of the internet will occur at home, away from the school filters.

Below are a list of useful websites, advice and resources that you may find helpful when navigating the issue of online safety with your child. At the bottom of this page are resources that your child can directly access as well to help them learn about online safety.

Useful resources and links

Thinkuknow http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command. Since 2006, it aims to ensure that everyone has access to this practical information – children, young people, their parents and carers and the professionals who work with them. 

Internet Matters https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/esafety-leaflets-resources/
A comprehensive web resource with a wide array of tips and advice on how to navigate the online world with your child. Some of their guidance we attach below but you can find even more by visiting the link. 

National Online Safety https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/
National Online Safety’s mission is to make the internet a safer place for children. They aim to do this by equipping school staff, parents and children with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and how best to react should an incident arise. The link above provides up to date information about a wide variety of social media apps and platforms your child might be using.

NSPCC http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/share-aware/
The NSPCC are the first to admit that the internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect – opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? That’s where the NSPCC come in. Whether you’re an online expert or you’re not sure where to start, their tools and advice will help you keep your child safe.

Childnet http://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
Childnet International is a registered UK charity that aims to make the internet a safe place for children and young people. Packed with resources it is a great resource for parents.

CEOP http://ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) is part of the National Crime Agency and their website can be used to report if you are worried about online abuse or the way someone is communicating online.

BBC  https://www.bbc.com/ownit
The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most.

SafetoNet https://safetonet.com/
SafeToNet is technology that educates children “in-the-moment” as they use their device. It is a safeguarding assistant that helps them become responsible and safe digital citizens. Its power lies in a smart keyboard that detects risks in real-time. It steers children away from trouble by filtering harmful outgoing messages before they can be sent and any damage can be done.


A guide to Apps & Social Media

The number of apps and social media channels your child could be exposed to grow all the time, as does an app’s functionality. We recommend you visit Net Aware to read the latest and most current advice on over 70 apps to ensure you know what they do, how you can limit their features as well as recommended age restrictions.

https://www.net-aware.org.uk/

The apps included are:

  • Fortnite
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat
  • YouTube
  • Minecraft
  • Clash of Clans & Clash Royale
  • Kik
  • Friv
  • Dubsmash
  • Wink
  • YOLO
  • TikTok
  • And many, many more

Resources for children to use

Below are some links that children themselves can access for help when navigating the tricky subject of online safety,

Reception – Year 2

Below are a number of links that are tailored for children in the younger year groups.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/5_7/ 
https://www.netsmartzkids.org/
https://www.childnet.com/resources/smartie-the-penguin

Year 3 – Year 6

Below are links more suitable for older children.
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/8_10/
https://www.nsteens.org/

A-parents-guide-to-digital-and-moving-to-secondary-school.162994771Download
A-parents-guide-to-discovering-digital-at-Primary-School.162994771Download
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Internet-matters-parent-Age-Guides-0-5-years-Online-Safety-Tips.162994772Download
Internet-matters-Parent-Age-Guides-6-10-years-Online-Safety-Tips.162994772Download
Internet-matters-Parent-Age-Guides-11-13-years-Online-Safety-Tips.162994772Download
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Parents-Guide-to-Artificial-Intelligence-Solutions.288047250Download
Parents-Guide-to-building-Cyber-Resilience.286218471Download
Parents-Guide-to-Call-of-Duty-Modern-Warfare-II.280169646Download
Parents-Guide-to-Combatting-Online-Bullying.279562099Download
Parents-Guide-to-Digital-Lives.286882002Download
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Parents-Guide-to-Managing-device-stress-and-anxiety.291647421Download
Parents-Guide-to-Netflix.248132472Download
Parents-Guide-to-online-safety-for-under-5s.263839478Download

Computing in Crew MI

1st March 2024Emily Ibbotson

This week in computing, we carried on with out learning about search engines. We used a search engine to find information about explorers. We then worked together to research answers to questions. Quickly, we figured out that the website we were using was full of inaccurate information and fake news when we compared it to another website. We learnt that we have to be careful when searching on the internet.

Internet Safety Day

7th February 2024Ruth Shields

Yesterday it was Internet Safety Day which is a really important focus especially as most of us are online at some point.

In Crew, we discussed our favourite thing to do online and how to ensure we keep safe. We discussed scenarios of what to do if something happened such as someone being unkind via messages or a stranger adding them. We then identified who our trusted adults were so children knew who they could speak to if they felt unsafe or uncomfortable online.

E Safety day! 🌎💻

6th February 2024Kate Thompson

This morning in crew, we looked at how we can keep ourselves safe whilst using the internet. First, we had a discussion on how we keep ourselves safe in school, the playground and the wider community. We came up with some fantastic ideas such as “follow the rules and listen to instructions” “don’t talk to strangers and people we don’t know” and “don’t use the tyres and climbing frames when it has rained as they will be wet and slippy and we could get hurt”. We then discussed the different ways we can access the internet and why we need to use it. It provides us with entertainment, allows us to communicate with others and can help us to learn new things. Finally, we designed an influencer who had a positive impact on the wider community. Some ideas we came up with were: gymnasts, gamers, fashion designers and athletics.

E Safety

20th November 2023Laura Godley

In crew today we have been learning about the importance of keeping ourselves online. This is an aspect we have spoke about before as it is essential that we conduct ourselves responsibility online. We thought about how to keep smart online and if we were worried about something then we ~ stop, close and tell someone. We were able to identify some of the issues that we may encounter online and how important it is to speak to others. We then created some posters with ideas of how to stay safe online. 

E-Safety Day 2023

9th February 2023Laura Godley

On Tuesday 7th February we celebrated Safer Internet Day 2023, attached are the slides we created to showcase our thoughts and ideas. 

Internet Safety or E-Safety is an integral part of children’s education in today’s digital world and is embedded in their learning at school. At Carcroft School we want to help our parents and children improve their own understanding of e-safety issues so they can learn to use the internet and all digital media in a safe and secure way.

As a parent/carer you’ll know how important the internet is to children – they use it to learn, play, socialise and express themselves. But the technology children use every day can seem a bit daunting and you might worry about the risks your child can face online – such as bullying, contact from strangers or the possibility of them seeing illegal or inappropriate content.  

To try and help parents/carers with the fast moving and changing world of internet and social media we’ve suggested a few internet sites. You can also read/download the documents for further information and advice.

  •  Thinkyouknow (advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online)
  • Internet matters (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
  • Parent info (support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online)
  • Child net (help and advice for parents and carers)
  • Net-aware (support for parents and careers from the NSPCC)

E Safety Day

7th February 2023Ruth Shields

In crew, we have been learning about the importance of keeping ourselves online. This is an aspect we have spoke about before as it is essential that we conduct ourselves responsibility online. We were able to identify some of the issues that we may encounter online and how important it is to speak to others. We then created some posters with ideas of how to stay safe online.