E Safety

What is eSafety?

At its simplest level, eSafety means being safe on the internet. We also include the safe use of technology in this as well as it is continuing to evolve at such as rapid rate.

Why is eSafety important?

Increasingly, children are using the internet away from desktops at home or school, whether on a mobile or a tablet. This means it has become more likely that children will be subjected to online bullying or inappropriate content, and more likely that they will come into contact with people who may have malicious intent.

Despite parents doing all they can to prevent their children accessing potentially dangerous content, a report by the UK Safer Internet Centre revealed that 70% of young people aged between 8 and 17 had seen images and videos not suitable for their age group online, while a fifth of the 1,500 young people questioned said they had received an image or video that aimed to bully them.

What do you do at school to promote eSafety?

Online safety was introduced into all key stages of the curriculum in 2012, with schools required to teach children about how to stay safe online from the age of 5. The various levels of guidance are aimed at different age groups, ensuring all ages understand the risks and are able to alert an adult should they be concerned about someone's behaviour online or feel they are being targeted by cyber bullies. Cyber-bullying forms an important part of our anti-bullying work in school. All children attend half termly eSafety assemblies and eSafety forms an important part of both our People in the Know curriculum and our ICT curriculum.

What could we be doing at home to promote eSafety?

Although e-safety is listed by Ofsted as one area in which schools must take responsibility, it's also important that parents and carers take the matter seriously, ensuring their children are protected against the dangers online. Parents, carers, family members and other adults should ensure they are aware of what children are doing online and should have processes in place to check children are using the internet and connected devices safely. As is the case with educational staff, parents should take the time to learn about e-safety and how to deal with situations when they arise. Being aware of, and adhering to, online age restrictions is also a really important step parents and carers can take to keep their children safe. On a similar note, it is important guardians are aware of age restrictions of popular digital games, like Fortnite and Call of Duty, which should not be played by primary -aged children.

What should I do if I have a concern about my child’s online activity?

Do your research. Talk to them—address it head on and ensure appropriate online-restrictions are in place. Talk to school if you need our help.

Useful websites

Thinkuknow

Thinkuknow is a very useful website from the National Crime Agency with information relevant for children from five years and up and their parents.

Childnet

Childnet provides a wealth of resources for parents and children to support e-safety.

NSPCC Share Aware

This website provides straightforward advice that enables parents to understand the internet and provide useful guidance for their children. The site recognises that the internet is a great place for children to be and that being 'Share Aware' makes it a safer place to spend time.

Child Exploitation & Online Protection (CEOP)

This website, also from the National Crime Agency, offers useful advice for people concerned about online abuse or simply the way that someone is communicating online.

The following links provide you with information about specific aspects of e-safety that we hope you will find useful. Please click on the bold title to access the websites.

Safety Detectives

A useful website with advice on the best available parental controls to download.

Sexting

The NSPCC provides useful information about how to talk to your child about the risks of sexting and also steps that you can take to protect them.

Live Streaming

The website Thinkuknow provides detailed information and guidance about a popular feature of lots of apps and platforms. Understanding the risks of live streaming will help your child to stay safe when they are online.

Play-Like-Share

Thinkuknow have produced a three episode animation for 8-10 year olds which helps them to learn how to identify pressuring and manipulative behaviour online and to stay safe from other risks they might encounter online.

E-Safety Guides for Parents

The following documents are aimed at providing parents with the necessary guidance to support their children to make the correct choices when using social media. if you would like a hard copy of any of them please ask in the School Office.

Great Oldbury Primary Academy

Great Oldbury Little Learners