At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Nympsfield we take E-Safety very seriously. Computers and computing are now an unavoidable part of everyday life and it now easier to access than ever before. It is essential that we equip our children with the skills and knowledge to not only use digital technologies effectively but also safely and responsibly. As a result it is an important part of our school curriculum, building on the skills developed previously and teaching children the new skills that are now required.
What is E Safety?
E-safety is a term which means not only the internet but other ways in which young people communicate using electronic media, e.g. mobile phones. The use of the Internet can have many risks. Young people are more at risk of exposure to inappropriate or criminal behaviour if they are unaware of the dangers. E-safety ensures that children and young people are protected from harm and supported to achieve the maximum benefit from new and developing technologies without risk to themselves or others.
What is E Safety?
E-safety is a term which means not only the internet but other ways in which young people communicate using electronic media, e.g. mobile phones. The use of the Internet can have many risks. Young people are more at risk of exposure to inappropriate or criminal behaviour if they are unaware of the dangers. E-safety ensures that children and young people are protected from harm and supported to achieve the maximum benefit from new and developing technologies without risk to themselves or others.
The dangers include:
- giving out personal information
- arranging to meet an online ‘friend’
- becoming involved in, or the victim of, bullying, identity theft, or making and sending indecent or illegal images
- spending too much time online (internet addiction), which can effect concentration, sleep and health
- copying information from the Internet or buying work from other people to use as their own.
- viewing unsuitable content e.g. hate material, adult content, sites that endorse unhealthy behaviour.
The key responsibilities of an E-safety leader include:
- takes day to day responsibility for e-safety issues and has a leading role in establishing and reviewing the school e-safety policies.
- Ensures that all staff are aware of the procedures that need to be followed in the event of an e-safety incident taking place.
- Provides training and advice for staff.
- Liaises with the local authority and school ICT staff.
- Meets regularly with the e-safety Governor to discuss current issues, review incident logs and filtering/change control logs.
Guidelines for parents and carers:
- Never include children’s full names (even your own children’s).
- Never post or tag photographs etc without ensuring that you have the right permission.
- Start talking to your children about being safe online from a young age.
- Explore online together. Ask your children to show you their favourite things to do on the computer – just like you would off of the computer. This will give you a better idea about what they are doing online.
- Set boundaries and rules together. These may include how long your children spend online, what websites they are on, how to treat people and sharing images and/or videos.
- Use parental controls to filter or restrict. But remember if your child goes online outside of the house the same controls might not be in place. So agree with your child what they can/cannot access or speak to other parents about what websites you would and wouldn’t like your child to have access to.
- If there is something you are concerned about in school please contact the school to sort it out rather than discussing it on social media e.g. Facebook.
- Everyone who adds to online sites is responsible for any comments posted under their name.
- If you are aware that sites are being misused you have a responsibility to report this.