E-Safety
At Sellincourt School, we are committed to keeping children safe when they use technology.
We see internet access as a fantastic resource for learning but also know that it can present many dangers, which can be avoided or reduced if all adults and children learn about E-Safety.
E-Safety Information for Parents and Carers
At Sellincourt School, we are committed to keeping children safe when they use technology. We see internet access as a fantastic resource for learning but also know that it can present many dangers, which can be avoided or reduced if all adults and children learn about E-Safety.
Through the school curriculum, pupils learn:
1. How to use the internet safely, and what to do if something goes wrong or we see something we shouldn't.
2. How to keep ourselves safe - keeping details private and keeping our data secure.
3. How to behave when using technology - being courteous and responsible, and what to do if others treat us in a way which is not kind. This also links with our behaviour and anti-bullying policies.
4. Encouraging a healthy use of technology - not over-using mobiles, consoles or computers.
During Safer Internet Day, all pupils took part in activities promoting the safe use of the Internet and preparing them for different situations which they may experience online. In January, we also held an E-Safety workshop for parents.
As well as learning about E-Safety at school, it is important that parents and carers work with us to make sure that children use technology outside of school in a safe and responsible way. This does not just mean the use of the Internet, but also mobile phones, gaming consoles (such as Xbox, Playstation), televisions, tablets (such as iPads) and many other devices which allow pupils to communicate online with the wider world.
Just as we wish to protect children from dangers in the real world, we want to make sure that they are kept safe from any risks that they may face online.
This page is designed to give parents and carers information and advice on how to keep children safe when using technology outside of school.
E-Safety Guidance
Safer Use of the Internet - Guidance for Parents
Spotting signs of online abuse
Sending sexual images, videos and messages
Top Tips for Parents and Carers
- Make sure your devices are set up for safe use by children (see links below).
- Talk to your child and find out about what they do online. If you understand what they are doing online, they are more likely to talk to you if they have problems.
- Help children search the Internet safely by using Swiggle (http://www.swiggle.org.uk/) or Safe Search (http://primaryschoolict.com/).
- Turn on ‘Safe Mode’ on YouTube and ‘Safe Search’ on Google.
- Check the age ratings of any games, DVDs or streamed video, to make sure they are appropriate. Many games such as GTA (Grand Theft Auto) contain extreme violence and disturbing graphic content. You can find advice for parents here: https://pegi.info/.
- Keep all equipment that connects to the Internet in a family space. Do not let children access the Internet in their room, where they may be unsupervised.
- Encourage healthy use of technology by turning off all devices for a certain time each day and having ‘no-screen’ time as a family.
Keep Wi-Fi passwords private from children and make sure that they cannot connect to a neighbour’s Wi-Fi. - Protect your own Facebook account by using the custom settings in the Privacy section. This helps you to control what information is available about you and your child online. Children under the age of 13 are not allowed to create their own Facebook accounts.
- Keep up-to-date with E-Safety issues by visiting E-Safety websites (see below) or reading the Vodafone Digital Parenting magazine https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/digital-parenting
Home Internet Use
Find out how you can put controls on home internet access through your internet service provider.
Click here for a guide to setting parent controls on devices, to make sure they are safe for children to use.
Game Consoles
Many game consoles have Internet access which can allow children to communicate with others online and potentially experience inappropriate behaviour.
Click here for information on parent controls for Nintendo Wii and DS.
Click here for information on parent controls for the PlayStation.
Click here for information on parent controls for the Xbox.
Click here for information on how to set up filters and parent controls through your home internet provider.
Control your child’s mobile phone usage
Click here to find out about the Vodafone Guardian app. The app enables parents to stay in control in a number of ways, including:
- Blocking specific contacts or mobile phone numbers to prevent bullying text messages or calls.
- Specifying times during which their child can make or receive calls, use apps, access the Web and use the camera.
- Restricting outgoing calls to named contacts, such as Mum, Dad or specific friends.
Other Useful E-Safety Websites and Documents
How to protect children while they use the Internet