Online Safety
Online safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Townville Academy . We have extensive security measures in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material. Any online safety incidents are recorded and managed. Online safety is taught to all pupils explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online.
We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with parents to ensure the Online Safety message is consistent. It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online.
Just as we want to keep our children safe in the ‘real’ offline world, we want to do the same in the virtual online world. It is important that we understand enough about the Internet to keep our children safe from harm but it is equally important that we equip our children with the skills they need to keep themselves safe
so they can experience the Internet positively and responsibly.
What are the issues?
The internet – on the whole is an inspiring and positive place.
The internet is an amazing resource which enables children and young people to connect, communicate and be creative in a number of different ways, on a range of devices.
However, the internet is always changing, and being able to keep up to date with your children’s use of technology can be a challenge.
You may sometimes feel that your children have better technical skills than you do, however children and young people still need advice and protection when it comes to managing their lives online.
Issues that your child may encounter on the internet will vary depending on their age and online activities.
Resources for parents:
Advice on social media & staying safe
Parental Controls
Smartphones and other devices
Children are using devices at a younger age so it’s important to consider setting controls on their tech, or on any devices that you are letting them borrow from you. We’ve pulled together a number of guides to give you simple steps to set controls on a range of devices.
E-Safety Tips for Parents
InternetMatters.org is a not-for-profit organisation that has a simple purpose – to help keep children safe in the digital world.
Organisations and websites offering further information and support for online safety:
Be Share Aware –
Keep your child safe online
We tell our children it’s good to share – but online it’s different. In fact sometimes sharing online can be dangerous. Being Share Aware will help keep your child safe online.
Watch and share a short film and take a look at some straightforward advice that will untangle the web, and give parents confidence in talking to their children about how to stay safe online.
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‘The teachers seem to genuinely care about the children and their safety and encourage them to do well.’