Vernon Primary School
Online Safety
E-Safety is an important part of keeping our children safe. Today’s pupils are growing up in an increasingly complex world, living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. At Vernon Primary School, we aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge needed to make the best use of the internet and technology in a safe, considered and respectful way.
We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with parents to ensure the e-Safety message is consistent. It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online. It’s essential to be realistic - banning the internet or technology will not work and it often makes a child less likely to report a problem. Education around safe use is essential.
At Vernon Primary School we are committed to safeguarding our community of learners – we hope every child has a safe and happy experience whilst using the internet. Making sure children are accessing age appropriate content is important as part of our role to educate pupils to become responsible internet users. Some sites can be a dangerous place for younger children, potentially exposing them to bullying, inappropriate content or grooming. Do you know what age children need to be to access social media platforms? Below is a chart showing the age restrictions placed on different social media apps and networking platforms. We have published this as a guide for our families.
The following websites will enable parents & carers to develop a safer online environment at home:
Resources for children
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SEND Online Safety Hub
NetAware, the O2/NSPCC website keeping parents and carers up to date with the latest news about social networks, apps and games their children are using, in partnership with Ambitious about Autism have launched an online safety hub to help support parents and carers who have children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The hub includes: online safety and wellbeing tips; and advice and activities specifically for parents and carers of children with SEND.
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CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind. This can be something that has taken place either online or in ‘the real world’, or both. The CEOP Safety Centre has clear information and advice on what can be reported to CEOP, the reporting process and what will happen if you do decide to make a report. You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre and make a report directly to CEOP by clicking the Click CEOP button.
If you are experiencing online bullying or something else online has worried you please speak to an adult you trust, or you can talk to Childline at any time on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk/info-advice
Safer Internet Day
To mark Safer Internet Day February 2022 we had a visit from the local PCSO’s who spoke to the children about some of the risks of online gaming and social media, the rules around social media applications and most of all how to keep ourselves safe online.
In classes across the school the children were involved in E safety activities delivered by our fantastic teaching staff. During the evening parents had access to an online session to update their knowledge of internet use and how to keep children safe whist using various games and applications online. Attendees felt this session had been very informative and gave useful information.