Almost all of our pupils use the Internet at home and we know that, as parents, it can be difficult to allow children the freedom to develop as responsible individuals while protecting them from the perils and pitfalls of the Internet. Increasingly, even at primary school age, younger people are conducting their social life online so parents need to provide guidance to make sure that their children behave safely and responsibly. Please help your children by following these key recommendations:
- Talk regularly with your children about their use of technology and how they communicate with people online.
- Keep computers and other web-enabled devices in family rooms.
Here at James Oglethorpe, we believe ICT is changing the lives of everyone. Through teaching ICT we equip children to participate in a rapidly changing world where work and leisure activities are increasingly transformed by technology. We enable them to find, explore, analyse, exchange, present and publish information. We also focus on developing the skills necessary for children to be able to use information in an evaluative and safe way. ICT skills are a major factor in enabling children to be confident, creative and independent learners. Technology is a fantastic aid to learning and enjoyment but there are dangers of which we must all be aware. At James Oglethorpe we have strict filters on internet traffic at Service Provider level, we do not allow pupils to communicate online with people outside of the school and we do not allow children to use the internet unsupervised. All staff and pupils at school are responsible for using the school ICT systems and equipment safely.
A wealth of information exists about online safety and children’s use of the Internet so it can be difficult to get clear, concise guidelines about the right way to approach online safety. We’ve waded through the online safety guidelines and websites, drawn from our own experience of issues raised in school and put together some practical tips to ensure a safe and healthy use of technology at home.
Most of our pupils have their own iPods, iPads, Android Tablets or other devices. This means they also have access to the internet including social networks, text and video chat.
http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers/parental-controls-offered-your-home-internet-provider
Consider taking devices away at bedtime – When it’s time to sleep, an internet connected device on a bedside table can be distracting. It is very common for children to play games and message friends when they should be getting a good night’s sleep.
If you can, stick to age appropriate websites. Social networks like Facebook and Twitter require users to be older than 13 to have a profile, but we know that younger children set up accounts anyway. Social networks keep children connected to friends and provide a space for self-expression but there are no guarantees of privacy: anything can be shared. If you do agree to your child having their own facebook page or other on-line account, set up family agreements or even better – be their facebook friend so that you can keep an eye on what they are posting.
Further advice and links on e-safety:
The following websites have a wide range of help and information about e-safety.
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https://www.net-aware.org.uk/?mc_cid=6edb2c8180&mc_eid=1a18f2d4ad |
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https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ |
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http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/ |
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https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ |
