Online Safety

In our rapidly expanding world, children are often using the internet on a daily basis. Whilst this is exciting and provides children with the opportunity to be the leaders in their own learning, it also opens up more things to be aware of and this can be tricky.

What are the risks?
Knowing the potential risks is the first step in helping to protect your children. The main dangers associated with children’s use of the internet are:

Privacy –Is their social networking profile set to open? Can anyone or friends of friends see everything they share?

Grooming – Are they in contact with someone they have not met before?

Sexual images – 11% of children in the UK have encountered sexual images online and 12% of 11-16 year olds have received them – EU Kids Online II

Cyberbullying – 21% of UK children say they have been bullied and 8% say this occurred on the internet – EU Kids Online II

Harmful content – 19% of UK 11-16 year old internet users have seen one or more type of potentially harmful user-generated content – EU Kids Online II

Fraud – They may think they understand how search engines operate but do they believe all search engine information is truthful? – Ofcom
Young Minds Parent Helpline:
0808 802 5544        Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm
youngminds.org.uk
 
What can you do to keep them safe?

Talk

Regular conversations with your child about the online world is important. The Young Minds charity says 'it has a greater impact when you start at a young age'.  Talk to your child about what they are doing online and what they can do if they ever feel upset about something that they see. Explore alongside your child by sitting next to them and look at what they enjoy doing online and become involved in their online life. Find out which are their favourite apps and google them to see if you can find out more about them. 

Understand

Find out which devices allow you to connect to the internet and how. Also, how are they getting online? If it is through a neighbour’s wifi, this might affect your online safety settings.

Control

Use parental controls on devices that link to the internet, such as the TV, laptops, computers, games consoles and mobile phones. They are a handy tool to help you set appropriate boundaries as your child grows. https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/

Inform

When accessing age appropriate sites, the internet is a fantastic tool for children to use. If they have heard of a new website, check it out first. Have set websites they are allowed to visit and ensure your children are confident in what to do if they are ever unhappy with something online.

* NEW Online safety videos to support parents and carers
This website has a number of downloadable guides and resources available including Technosaurus which is a resource to help you have your first conversations with your child about online safety.
CEOP is here to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online.
 
You can make a report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre by clicking on the Click CEOP button if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried.
 
This might be from someone you know in real life, or someone you have only ever met online. CEOP take all reports seriously and we will do everything we can to keep you safe.
 
As well as making a report to the CEOP Safety Centre, the CEOP Education website has information and advice to help you if something has happened to you online.
 
Are you being bullied? CEOP are unable to respond to reports about bullying but if you’re being bullied and would like to talk to someone in confidence right now you can speak to Childline on 0800 1111 or talk to them online – no worry is too big or too small.
For more information please read our school’s online safety policy or contact the school’s office.

Contact details and useful websites

If you are concerned about a child in East Sussex contact SPOA (Single Point of Advice) on: 01323 464222 or 0-19.SPOA@eastsussex.gov.uk

If you think the child is in immediate danger, you should call the police on 999.

Sussex Police: (for non-urgent Police contact) 101 or 01273 470101

Further resources:
Social media apps and games - advice for parents and carers