At Bower Park Academy we believe that we all have a role to play in ensuring that children are kept safe whilst using technology. E-safety covers not only the internet, but also the use of computers, tablets (iPad/Nexus 7) and games consoles (X-Box/PS4), as well as mobile phones and televisions.
Find the most up-to-date guides on online safety for social media apps and platforms at the National Online Safety website.
There are several elements to online safety that we cover through the curriculum at Bower Park. We also outline our rules for safe use of technology and how pupils should behave through our Acceptable Use Policy, which is given to all families.
Below you will find a range of useful resources and links to advice, all of which will aid you in keeping your child safe in the digital world.
‘Essentials’ Checklist
This checklist highlights the steps you should take in order to manage any child who uses digital technology in its various forms. The list is by no means definitive, but is meant to serve as a starting point for a conversation with your child.
- Don’t be afraid to set boundaries for your family in the digital world as you would do in the real world
- Get comfortable with the technologies your son or daughter enjoys – challenge them to a game on the Xbox or PlayStation, or learn how to communicate with loved ones via email or social networking sites such as Facebook
- Converse with your child to understand what they post and share online, and help them understand that once something has been submitted, it can be seen by anyone and is available on the web forever, even if the photo/video/comments are taken down/deleted
- Learn some tips from your friends and family about how they support their child using technology – you might be surprised by their experiences
- Social networking websites, games consoles and search engines all have parental controls/tools that can assist you in locking down features of the technology to make it more child friendly
- Ensure that you have conversations about all the incredible benefits that technology can bring, but don’t shy away from difficult subjects like responsible online behaviour, bullying and pornography
- Expensive technology can make your child a target for criminals, so remind them to keep any device well hidden to minimise the risk of theft
- Remember that services such as Facebook and YouTube require the individual to be at least 13 years of age
Useful Resources
Comprehensive advice is available from the UK’s leading child protection websites. Each has an array of safety tips, videos and useful information.
Safety Advice
Technology need not be something you fear. For parents there are parental controls/tools that can be used to limit features of games consoles and mobile phones, so that the risks of the technology being misused are reduced.
A Message from the National Crime Agency on Internet Safety
The NCA’s CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) command is here to help children and young people. We are here to help if you are a young person and you or your friend (up to age 18) has been forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity with anyone online, or in the real world.
We also have advice and links to support for other online problems young people might face, such as cyberbullying and hacking.
Visit our Safety Centre for advice and to report directly to CEOP, by clicking on the Click CEOP button.
