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Online Safety Advice for Parents

Online Safety Advice

At Ebor Gardens Primary Academy, we take online safety very seriously. We know how difficult it can be to keep track of all the latest sites and apps that children are interested in. This page provides advice, guidance and support for parent/carers to help keep their child safe online. You can find links to all relevant policies at the bottom of this page. If you have any concerns about your child’s online safety, please call the Academy and our Safeguarding Team will be happy to help.

The Online Safety Lead at Ebor Gardens is Mr Lee Spink, Vice Principal.

Age Related Safety Guides

Children use the internet in different ways depending on their age and so Internet Matters have developed checklists for parents that give you top tips on how to help them stay safe.

Ages 0-5

https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/online-safety-guide-0-5-year-olds/

Ages 5-11

https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/online-safety-guide-6-10-year-olds/

Ages 11-13

https://www.internetmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Internet-Matters-online-safety-Age-Guide-11-13.pdf

Net Aware

This website is a guide to children’s social network use. It has been designed for the parents of 8 to 12 year old’s and provides information about the social networks, apps or games with an interactive element that children use most frequently.

The purpose of the guide is to provide parents with the information they need to be able to keep their children safe online, to encourage parents to look for themselves and form their own views about the appropriateness of popular sites, and to give parents the confidence to have conversations about what their children are doing online. It is based on other parents’ experiences and the views of young people.

https://www.net-aware.org.uk/

Social Media Support

Social media sites and apps are updated all the time, and children seem to know more about the apps than we do! The links below will tell you where to go to find help about the safety features available on these popular social networks. It is important to note that the age requirement for most of the these social media accounts is higher than the age of primary school children. The links below provide parental advice and support in case something goes wrong or you have concerns in relation to one of these social media sites.

Roblox

https://www.net-aware.org.uk/networks/roblox/

Roblox is described as suitable for ages 7+, however recommendations are that parents limit the on-line chat feature which means anybody can chat to your child on-line. The hyperlinked title will provide parents with guidance and support to restrict the on-line chat feature.

You Tube

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/social-media-guides/youtube

The age requirement to create your own account is 13+. The hyperlinked guide provides support and advice for parents to apply restriction modes which filters inappropriate content. It is highly recommended that all parents apply this to their devices.

Facebook

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/social-media-guides/facebook

The age requirement for a Facebook account is 13+. Children of a primary school age must not have their own account. The information provided in this link provides support and advice to parents in the event that your child sets up an account without your permission or if someone posts images of your child without consent.

Tik Tok

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/social-media-guides/tiktok

The age requirement for a Tik Tok account is 13+. Children of a primary age must not have their own account. The information provided in this link provides further safety advice surrounding this app.

Instagram

https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/social-media-guides/instagram

The age requirement for an Instagram account is 13+. Children of a primary school age must not have their own account. The information provided in this link provides further help and guidance surrounding online safety and Instagram.

Video Games

PEGI information

Please click on the links below to find out information about the video games your children play. In addition, the site explains where to find the most up to date information for setting parental controls on consoles and explains how PEGI ratings work.

https://parentinfo.org/article/pegi-games-ratings-explained

Staying safe on Minecraft

https://parentinfo.org/article/staying-safe-on-minecraft

Minecraft can be used by children under the age of 13 with their parents’ permission. This website provides support, advice and guidance to ensure your child stays safe whilst playing the game.

Pokemon Go

https://parentzone.org.uk/article/pokemon-go-parents-guide

A guide to keep your child safe if they are playing Pokémon Go.

Mobile Phones

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/online-safety

An online guide by O2 for parents to help protect their child online. This website also contains a guide to support setting up your child’s first mobile phone.

Sexting

It may feel awkward, but it’s important to explain to children the risks of sexting, how to stay safe and remind them that they can talk to you if something ever makes them feel scared or uncomfortable.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has information about sexting on its website and there is some helpful advice from Dorset Police.

https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/personal-safety/yp-students/sexting/advice-parents/

Other useful websites

https://parentzone.org.uk/

https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/