Online Safety

Today's children are regular users of internet and web-based platforms apps.  It can be hard to keep up with in this ever-changing digital world.  However, the things that help to keep children safe online are often similar to the things that keep them safe offline.

As part of our school’s curriculum, we offer pupils supervised access to the internet and teach them how to safely navigate the digital world, using technology responsibly and appropriately.  We are aware of the great educational advantages that internet access brings but also the dangers of inappropriate use.  Our school’s internet service is provided through NYCC and is fully filtered to minimise the risk of any unsuitable content being displayed.  Pupils will be taught about the importance of internet safety through their lessons, in assemblies and through other educational opportunities.  Staff will regularly remind pupils of the need to follow these rules when using technology.   

It is recommended that children who use the internet at home, follow similar rules for staying safe online.  If you have any concerns regarding online safety, please discuss them with a member of staff.

Please be reminded that children under the age of 13 should not be members of Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat or TikTok and no one under the age of 16 should have a Zoom account.

Further advice regarding internet safety can be found at:

• Common Sense Media, for expert reviews, objective advice, helpful tools, and more. https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
• Think U Know, the education programme from NCA-CEOE-safety website for children, teachers and parents. thinkuknow.co.uk
• Childnet International, information on the sites and services that children use, plus information about mobiles, gaming, downloading, social networking and more. childnet-int.org/kia/
• North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, how to keep your children safe online. https://www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk/parents-carers/online-safety/
• Virgin Media O2 children's internet safety text https://www.virginmedia.com/blog/online-safety/childrens-internet-safety-test  

Children's Rules for Staying Safe Online 

I know that I must follow these rules to keep me and everyone else safe online.

What I will do:

• I will ask permission from a member of staff before using the internet in school.
• When I use the internet to find information, I will think about whether the information is true, as not everything on the internet is true.
• I will not copy other people’s work from the internet and pretend that it is my own.
• I will use the school computers to do schoolwork only.
• I will look after my username and password and will not share them with anybody.
• I will only log on to the school’s devices, technologies and learning platforms using my own username and password.
• I understand that the school may check my computer files and the internet sites that I visit.
• If I bring work from home on a data carrier, I will give it to my teacher.
• I will not download or install software on school devices.
• I will only e-mail people I know, or my teacher has approved.
• I will be polite and responsible towards others online.
• I will not share information about myself or anyone else when I am online.
• I will not take or share pictures or videos of anyone without their permission.
• I will tell an adult if I see or read anything that worries me or upsets me.
• I will tell an adult if I get a message from someone I don’t know.
• I will not open any emails, links or attachments to emails if I do not know who has sent them or if I feel worried.
• I will not open, copy, delete or change anybody else’s files or their work, without their knowledge and permission.
• I will not upload, download, share or look at anything that could be unsafe, inappropriate or harmful to me or to anyone else.
• I will not use social media sites.
• I will not encourage anyone else to break these rules.
• I will tell an adult if I know that other children are breaking these rules.
• I understand that if I break these rules, there will be consequences, whether I am in or out of school when I break the rules.