E-Safety information and advice
At Brightwell cum Sotwell CofE Primary School we are committed to ensuring that pupils are safe when using the internet at school and are keen to support parents/ carers in doing this at home.
We ask parents/carers to be interested and supportive when monitoring their children’s use of the internet. This page has been designed to give you information that will support you in this role.
When online, children and young people can learn new things, get help with their homework, express themselves creatively and connect with friends and family. There are also risks, but by understanding and talking about the dangers you can help keep your child safe online. Remember, as they grow children are always using the newest apps and social media sites - it is unlikely that they will be using what you use.
The NSPCC visits the school and speaks with all children through assemblies and workshops as part of the "Speak out. Stay Safe" programme and Safer Internet Day is celebrated every year with the messages reinforced throughout the year as part of both our Computing and PSHE curriculums.
Safer Internet Day 2023 - ‘Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online’.
This year, the focus was on encourgaing young people to talk about their experiences when they are online - both positive and negative.
Want some top tips on how to talk about life online?
Children - find out more here: https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2023/top-tips-for-young-people
Adults - find out more here: https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2023/parents-and-carers/practical-tips-for-starting-a-conversation-about-life-online
Why not try this quiz to see how much you know?
https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2023/quiz-for-7-11s
Not sure where to start?
Read this - "Five top tips to manage children's screen time"
Key rules for your child
- Think before you send a picture or message about yourself or any other person. It doesn’t take long for it to be shared with every single person you know. What you think of as a joke might be really upsetting for the other person.
- Never give out personal information when it can be shared with others. You may trust your new friends but you don’t know his or her friends.
- Treat your password like your toothbrush – don’t share it with anyone!
- If you receive nasty messages, texts, comments etc, block the person sending them and always report it to an adult (your parent, teacher).
- Don’t reply to a bullying message but do keep it – whether it is a picture, message or online posting.
Safer Internet Day 2022 - ‘All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online’
For 2022 the day celebrated young people’s role in creating a safer internet and the ways they are shaping the interactive entertainment spaces they are a part of. The platforms young people use are spaces for connection, community and collaboration, which is why the day challenged them to foster supportive relationships and respectful communities, whilst equipping them with the skills they need to keep themselves and others safe in these spaces.
These platforms play such an important and positive role, providing young people with the means to interact with friends and as a great pastime, particularly during lockdowns.
However, there are some emerging safety issues in these spaces so we need to address these issues so that all young people understand what constitutes respectful behaviour online, and know what to do if they encounter hate or bullying directed at them or someone else.
Useful links
Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board
National Safety Online posters - info about the most popular apps and games
If your child is being cyberbullied
- Make sure your child does not retaliate or reply to cyberbullying messages of any kind
- If you need to, you can help your child to change their contact details (email, online username, mobile phone number).
- Use the security tools on your family’s computer, on websites or on your child’s mobile phone.
- Save evidence of offending emails, text messages or online conversations.
- Report cyberbullying. You can report the incident to school, the website or service provider, and, in serious cases, the police.
