All children use computers at school, at home or in places like libraries and clubs, and schools are keen to use the benefits of the internet to support children’s learning. Many children are now beginning to explore this exciting online world at a very young age. The internet provides children with excellent opportunities for learning and communicating with friends, but sometimes, children don’t realise that they can be as much at risk online as they are in the real world. This information aims to help you keep your children safe online by providing information on the risks and what action you can take to protect your child when they use the internet.
Faced with all these risks, you may be tempted to just stop your child from using the computer, but most children will be able to access the internet in other places or even on mobile phones. The best thing to do is to teach your child how to keep themselves safe online and take the following action yourself;
Use a child-friendly search engine such as Safe Search to block out unsuitable websites. http://primaryschoolict.com
Our school computer system is designed to protect your child from many of these risks by blocking children’s access to unsuitable websites and supervising computer use in the classroom. Lessons based on online safety are taught throughout the year, with the help of Hector the Protector. Hector and his underwater friends promote the skills and values children need to grow into confident, knowledgeable and caring members of the online community – the ‘building blocks’ of digital citizenship.
Use these links to the Think U Know website for further resources
Our lead teacher for computing, Miss Crawford along with the family workers ran an online safety workshop for parents in the Autumn term. Details from this workshop can be found in the Parent tab.
To make sure they stay safe online, you should teach your child:
If you have any queries about supporting your child using the internet or und erstanding PEGI ratings on games and films please contact Mrs Cullen or Miss Crawford.