We are aware that our learners are spending more time  online than ever.  As a result, it is very important that we are all aware about measures we can put in place to keep them safe online.  If you are using a school loaned laptop/Chromebook, then access to the internet will be via our school filtering.  However, if you are using a home device, it is important that you ensure suitable parental controls/filtering are in place.  The NSPCC has some useful guidance for parents to follow which will help you ensure this is set up.

• NSPCC provides a range of guidance for parents, from setting up parental controls to being better informed about things to consider when allowing your child to work or play online.

We would always advise that any online use is supervised.  For example, expecting that mobile phones/tablets/games consoles are used in a shared area rather than in a bedroom if possible.  Where this is not possible, make sure you talk to your child about their online use and regularly look at browsing history with your child so that you are aware what is being accessed.  It is easy for us to assume that even the most mature and well behaved of children will be responsible and make sensible decisions.  However, children are far less risk adverse than we are as adults and simply do not have the life experience to question, in the same way that we would as adults.  A good starting point, it to open a conversation.  The Family Agreement Template below might help open discussion. The following websites also have some useful guidance for parents/ carers about how to ensure that your child operates safely online.

• Thinkuknow provides advice from the National Crime Agency (NCA) on staying safe online.
• Parent info is a collaboration between Parentzone and the NCA providing support and guidance for parents from leading experts and organisations.
• Childnet offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, to set boundaries around online behaviour and technology use, and to find out where to get more help and support.
• Internet Matters provides age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices, and a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world.
• London Grid for Learning has support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online, including tips to keep primary aged children safe online.
• Net-aware has support for parents and carers from the NSPCC and O2, including a guide to social networks, apps and games.
• Let’s Talk About It has advice for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation.
• UK Safer Internet Centre has tips, advice, guides and other resources to help keep children safe online, including parental controls offered by home internet providers and safety tools on social networks and other online services.