e-Safety
With technology developing at a rapid speed our children are increasingly vulnerable as they can access the internet in an ever growing number of ways.
At Downs Infants we use the highly acclaimed ‘Switched on Computing’ scheme of work by Rising Stars. This covers the whole breadth of the new Computing Curriculum (i.e. computer science, information technology and digital literacy) and crucially embeds E-Safety into all areas to ensure safe and responsible use of technology (see e-safety policy).
Whilst we educate the children of how to keep safe on line, it is important you, as their parents and carers, know the dangers and teach them e-safety at home.
To support this, CEOP [Child Exploitation and Online Protection] have created a brilliant website; https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/5_7/ which will give you all the information you need, as well as child friendly videos and games (Hectors world and Lee and Kim’s Adventures) which teach children to go on the internet in a safe way and know who to talk to if they are worried.
Additionally, http://www.childnet.com/ has lots of information for parents and cares, teachers and young people about being safe online including top tips, hot topics, help and advice and conversation starters.
Below are CEOP’s six top tips for 5-7 year olds on internet safety – we teach these at school, but are you reinforcing them at home?
Top Tips!
- Always ask a grown up before you use the internet. They can help you find the best thing to do.
- Don’t tell strangers where you live, your phone number or where you go to school. Only your friends and family need to know that.
- Don’t send pictures to people you don’t know. You don’t want strangers looking at photos of you, your friends or your family.
- Tell a grown up if you feel scared or unhappy about anything.
- You can also call ‘Childline’ on: 0800 1111 to talk to someone who can help.