Online Safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Joy Lane Primary School. We have extensive security measures in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material.

We believe that online safety is not an area that should only be discussed once a year or just in an assembly on Safer internet Day. Online safety is taught to all pupils by explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online.

We believe it is very important to address current issues and will useonline safety to help talk about a range of areas throughout the school year. As a result, we look carefully at information technology and what is important to the children, helping to provide information and advice so children can use technology safely and responsibly.

As a school, we believe that the Internet and other digital technologies are very powerful resources which can enhance and potentially transform teaching and learning when used effectively and appropriately. The Internet is an essential element of 21st century life for education, business and social interaction. Through teaching internet safety, in a variety of contexts, we strive for our children to know how to keep themselves safe on line.
We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with parents to ensure the online safety message is consistent. It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online.

If your child has access to the internet at home, follow some simple rules to ensure their safety:

1. Make sure you can see the computer and the sites that they are visiting.
2. Discuss and set some simple rules together, making sure that the children understand the importance of these rules.
3. Use the school website for suitable educational sites.
4. If you or your child need to report something unsuitable, please follow the link to CEOP

Parent Guides for Games and Apps:

Roblox - https://www.oursaferschools.co.uk/2022/01/19/roblox-parents-guide-and-age-restrictions/

Snapchat - https://www.oursaferschools.co.uk/2022/09/02/snapchat-family-center/

Twitch - https://www.oursaferschools.co.uk/2023/03/02/guide-to-twitch/

Instagram - https://www.oursaferschools.co.uk/2022/09/29/instagrams-latest-updates/

Among Us - https://www.oursaferschools.co.uk/2021/05/14/among-us/

Fortnite - https://www.oursaferschools.co.uk/2021/09/30/fortnite-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

Parent control apps - https://www.oursaferschools.co.uk/2022/09/23/guide-to-parental-control-apps/

Useful Websites

Internet Matters - https://www.internetmatters.org/

One of the most comprehensive sites with so much information for parents around keeping children safe online. Helpfully separated into age groups to find things most relevant to you and your child. This site has information on parental controls, advice for different apps, online safety tips and so much more. Really worth looking at some of the guides and videos on there.

Parent Zone: https://parentzone.org.uk
Here you'll find a collection of articles, tips, expert advice and resources designed to help Parents and Carers keep up with what children are doing online.Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone, which has been providing information and support to parents for a decade, and CEOP, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection command of the National Crime Agency.

WiseCase - Cyberbullying Guide for Parents: A Comprehensive Cyberbullying Guide for Parents (wizcase.com)
Tech advice, reviews and more, focusing on VPNs, Antivirus, Software, SAAS, Password Managers and Cybersecurity.

Pan European Game Information PEGI:  https://pegi.info

PEGI provides age classifications for video games. The age rating confirms that the game is appropriate for players of certain age. PEGI considers the age suitability of a game, not the level of difficulty.

Ask About Games:  https://www.askaboutgames.com

As with any leisure activity for children, it’s important to play a role as parents, carers, and guardians to guide their participation and enjoyment. Both in terms of avoiding unhealthy excess, but also to ensure ambition and benefits are maximized. Although there is often concern that parents don’t have the tools they need – Ask About Games website offers lots of information and tips.

BBFC’s Classification Guidelines:  https://bbfc.co.uk/about-classification/classification-guidelines

With more Parent/Carers watch films online, it is important we understand the BBFC ratings..
Ratings info provides a short description of the issues contained in a film, on video or DVD, and this appears on the black card shown on the cinema screen before a film starts. You’ll also see it on film posters, listings and DVD packaging, and on some video on demand (VoD) services, such as Netflix.

Parent Control - Smartphones and other devices: Parental Controls

Children are using devices at a younger age so it’s important to consider setting controls on their tech, or on any devices that you are letting them borrow from you. We’ve pulled together a number of guides to give you simple steps to set controls on a range of devices.

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre): www.ceop.police.uk

• The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) delivers a multi-agency service dedicated to tackling the abuse and exploitation of children in the 'real world' and the 'e-world';
• ClickCEOP is accessible on Facebook - it launched in July 2010. By adding ClickCEOP to your Facebook account, young people and parents can get support on a range of issues such as viruses, hacking and dealing with bullying online. They can also report someone who is acting inappropriately:www.facebook.com/clickceop

Think U Know website: www.thinkuknow.co.uk

• The Think U Know website is divided into 5 areas:
  • 5-7
  • 8-10 Cyber-Cafe (Key Stage 2 Resources)
  • 11-16 (Key Stage 3 and 4 Resources)
  • Parents/Carers (Free resources and monthly emails for parents/carers)
  • Teachers/Trainers
• There is also a suite of resources to support children with SEN including children with mild to severe learning difficulties, are blind or have a hearing impairment.

WEBWISE ie: www.webwise.ie

 Webwise is the Irish Internet Safety Awareness Centre. It provides teaching resources and advice on internet safety topics, including cyberbullying and privacy.

The VGT: Virtual Global Taskforce - National Crime Agency

• CEOP works as part of the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT) which is made up of law enforcement agencies  from around the world such as Australia, Canada, Italy, America, etc;
• Any reports of abuse made via CEOP's, or the VGT's, 'Report Abuse' button can be answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from around the globe. The report abuse button can be used to report inapporpriate or potentally illegal activity towards a child. It can be found on many websites;
• If a child is in immediate danger, contact 999 for police assistance.

ChildLine: https://www.childline.org.uk

• ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything -no problem is too big or too small. Call free on 0800 1111, have a 1-2-1 chat online or send an email.

 PixelPrivacy: https://pixelprivacy.com

• How to Keep your Children Safe Online: The Ultimate Guide for the non Techy Parent