You will be aware the Internet hosts many exciting opportunities for education. The online world is a wonderful place for young people to explore, with unprecedented opportunities for learning and creativity, but just like the real world, there are risks and dangers they should be aware of and which we should all act to protect them from.

As a school, we encourage the use of technology as an important part of our students’ development but always want them to spend their time online safely. As a parent/carer, you can play a significant part in ensuring this. The following websites offer a wealth of information to support you to protect your child and keep them safe online. You will also find attcahed, copies of our monthly Online Safety newsletter which we send to all parents. 

ONLINE SAFETY: Ensuring the correct parental controls are in place in order to keep children as safe as possible online is vital. The following link will take you to a site where you can choose your device and you will be guided how to confidently apply parental controls.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/

PARENTS PROTECT: Project from The Lucy Faithfull Foundation focusing on protecting children from Sexual Abuse

http://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/resources.htm

NSPCC PANTS CAMPAIGN: Teach your child the Underwear Rule and help protect them from abuse. It's a simple way that parents can help keep children safe from sexual abuse – without using 'scary words.'

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/

ALRIGHT CHARLIE: Resource from the Blast Project aimed at 9 – 11 year olds highlighting the warning signs of grooming in an age appropriate way.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGEgn767XAk

For pupils: http://assets.mesmac.co.uk/images/Alright-Charlie-YP-Workbook-21Jan2016.pdf

PARENTAL CONTROLS: Ensuring the correct parental controls are in place in order to keep children as safe as possible online is vital. The following link will take you to a site where you can choose your device and you will be guided how to confidently apply parental controls https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/

INEQE: As a leading independent safeguarding organisation INEQUE are members of the Safeguarding support network, which lists organisations that work to promote safer online experiences. You can browse the sight for a variety of information on how to control your devices in the home as well as updates on all games/apps which your child may be accessing and the associated risks. https://ineqe.com

NSPCC: Helpful advice and tools you can use to help keep your child safe whenever and wherever they go online.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

THINKUKNOW: The National Crime Agency's site to combat Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP). Find the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it.  Most importantly, there’s also a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or worried about someone they are chatting to online. All the information here is brought to you by the team at the NCA's CEOP Command. https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

UK's SAFER INTERNET CENTRE: Help and advice for parents on  to stay on top of the wide range of sites and devices that young people use. Advice from most online services on safety features that can help you manage access to age-inappropriate content, report concerns or protect privacy. http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/parents-and-carers

More useful websites: 

• Childline www.childline.org.uk
• Childnet www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
• CEOP (Child Exploitation & Online Protection Command) Think U Know Parents www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
• Internet Matters www.internetmatters.org/
• Net Aware www.net-aware.org.uk
• PEGI (Pan-European Game Information) www.pegi.info
• The Breck Foundation www.breckfoundation.org
• UK Safer Internet Centre www.saferinternet.org.uk
• Have I Been Pwned? haveibeenpwned.com/