The internet is now a big part of our lives. Children use phones, tablets and computers every day to learn, play and talk to friends. Just as we keep children safe at school, we also want to help them stay safe when they are online.
This is called E-Safety.
E-Safety means using the internet in a safe and responsible way. It is about protecting children in the digital world and making sure they feel safe when using technology. This includes websites, games, and social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and others.
The internet can be wonderful. It helps children learn, explore new ideas, and connect with friends and family. But it also has risks. Some online spaces are not safe, and children may see or share things that are not appropriate.
Many parents did not grow up with smartphones or social media, so it can feel difficult to know how to protect children online. At school, we teach children how to use the internet safely. We also want to support parents in helping children make good choices at home.
You can read our E-Safety Policy and Acceptable Internet Use Policies on our Policies page.
• Set up parental controls on your home broadband and all Internet-enabled devices your child has access to.
• Password-protect all accounts.
• Choose the sites your child has access to on their account.
• Make sure your child is using child-safe search engines, such as Swiggle or KidzSearch, and activate ‘safe search’ options on other search engines such as Google and YouTube.
• Switch devices to airplane mode when your child is playing online games. This will prevent them from accidentally making in-app purchases or contacting other players online
• Pay close attention to the age ratings on games, apps and films to make sure they are suitable for your child. If you would not allow your child to watch a 15 certificate film, you should not let them play a game with the same rating.
• Set your homepage to a child-friendly one.
• Keep all devices your child will use, in a high-traffic communal area in your home, such as the kitchen or living room. Be with your child when they are online and talk about what they are doing.
• Set rules for screen time and stick to them.
• Investigate safe social media sites for kids.
• Sometimes children find themselves bullying or being bullied online (also known as ‘cyberbullying’). Talk to your child about being a good friend online, and how our words and actions still hurt even if we can’t see a person’s reaction to them.
• Talk regularly about the importance of online safety, and about what your child is getting up to online. You’ll be grateful you did this, especially as your child gets older. Keeping those lines of communication open is a powerful way of letting your child know that you trust them but expect them to be honest. Research shows that the age at which children are accessing smart devices and the Internet is getting younger and younger. It’s never too soon to start good E- Safety habits with your child.
Useful Guide for Parents – Please note these are updated regularly but may not reflect the latest apps and online tools being available:
