Online Safety and E-Safety

The terms E-safety and Online Safety are concerned with safeguarding children, young people and adults in the digital world. At The Gateway, we teach children about the risks as well as the benefits of using digital resources so they can feel confident and happy online. We believe children and young people should have the entitlement to safe internet access at all times.

The following links are web links or have resources attached to help you make informed decisions:

National Online Safety

BBC staying safe online

Think U Know for parents

NSPCC – Staying safe on Social Media

UK Safer Internet Centre

Safer search website

Many websites now include the CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protections Centre) Report Abuse button which can be used to protect young people from individuals who seek to use the online environment to access and exploit young people and children.

There is an app available from National Online Safety to give parents and teachers up-to-date information regarding online safety.  For more information, go to this website:  https://info.nationalonlinesafety.com/mobile-app

Some top tips:

1. Contact your internet provider e.g. Virgin Media, have an option to filter or block websites that are not child friendly.
2. Keep the device where you can see what they are looking at and regularly check that restrictions and passwords on all devices and apps are up-to-date.
3. Remind them not to share personal information or speak to anyone they do not know.
4. They only use websites that an adult has vetted.
5. Remind them to treat everyone kindly and report those who are being unkind to their trusted adult.

Remember:

You should only be using Facebook and Instagram if you are 13 years old and over.  You need to be 16 years or older to use WhatsApp.

 We hope this information proves useful and that by arming ourselves with knowledge we can work together to keep our children safe. If you have any useful links or information please contact the school office.