E-safety

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 young people need to be aware of. Parents, guardians, carers and teachers should all act to make sure they are able to inform and protect children in their care. 

We encourage the use of technology as an important part of our students’ development but always want them to stay safe while online. In school we have an internet safety code of conduct that all pupils and staff are expected to adhere too. We have strong and constantly updated filters in place to protect and govern internet use.

E-safety is an important part of computing lessons in classes 1 to 5 with children learning about a range of issues including the need to keep personal information private and the problem of cyber-bullying. We teach our Early Years Children about e-safety through stories and other relevant media.

Each year we celebrate Safer Internet Day. This initiative prompts children to focus on their role in creating a safer internet community for everyone.

The best way to protect your children when they go online is to be informed yourself and make a safe online world part of your everyday life.  We spend years training our children to cross the road and stay away from strangers in the outside world. It is just as important to train them to keep safe online.

Please be aware that Social Media Sites (e.g. Facebook, You Tube, Twitter, Instagram etc) have a minimum age requirement of 13+ in their terms and conditions.  Internet-based messaging services such as 'Whats App' can only be used by young people aged 16 or over.

   TEN TIPS FOR PARENTS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE ONLINE

  BOSBURY SCHOOL E-SAFETY POLICY 2022/23

• The websites below provide useful information and will help you find the best ways to talk to your children about staying safe online:
   
• Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre
• Childnet
• CEOP ThinkUKnow
• CEOP’s ThinkUknow parents section
• Digital Parenting Magazine from Vodafone
• Internet terms and Language: A Guide for Parents
• PEGI games rating
• Safer Internet Centre
• ‘Simple Steps to Parental Controls’
• https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ - website designed to help parents check the suitability of websites, films and video games

In addition, the presentation which was conducted by Herefordshire ICT consultant Mr. Mark Sanderson to parents during a recent E-Safety Day at Bosbury can be viewed at: 

     https://herefordshirecomputing.com/e-safety-for-parents/

    Digital parenting magazines can also be accessed at:

     http://www.vodafone.com/content/digital-parenting/learning-and-fun/digital-parenting-magazine.html#

How to deal with concerns

Contacting the police
If you are concerned about your child’s online safety, please contact CEOP (a police-led online crime and safety service) using this button:

If you need urgent help because your child is meeting a stranger that has contacted them online, CEOP recommend the following;

• - Call 999 if you suspect or believe your child is in immediate danger
  - Keep all emails, images or 'conversations' relating to your concern or suspicions. Don't delete any material.
  - Don't not contact anyone acting in a suspicious manner. Let the police do the detective work.

Many internet sites have their own report button or facility to block people and pages that cause concern.

Parental Controls
Large internet providers usually list details of how you can add parental controls and restrictions for children using the internet in your home.  You can also add restrictions on individual devices.  Below are some useful links to relevant websites:

Apple iOs (iphones, ipads etc)

Samsung and android

Windows

    youtube 

Google

Firefox – Firefox has an add-on called ‘Fox Filter’ which can be applied.

Internet Explorer has parental/family settings. Follow the instructions below to set parental controls:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Select “Tools” from the toolbar
3. Select “Internet Options”
4. Choose the “Content” tab
5. Click “Enable”
6. Adjust the slider to select the level you deem appropriate for your child
7. Save changes