Online Protection for Children
The internet is an integral part of children’s lives these days. It opens up so many educational and social opportunities, giving them access to a world of information and experiences.
As you would protect your child in the real world, you will want to make sure that they are safe whatever they are doing. Like learning to cross the road, online safety skills are skills for life. If your child understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online, they can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so – particularly from those people who might seek them out to harm them.
So, how can you protect your child online?
The answer is simple. If you understand the internet and understand what the risks are, there are a number of things you can do that will make your child safer online…
The 2 Johns
So far the roadshow has been seen by over 80000 children over the past year taking in Basildon, Thurrock, Maldon, Saffron Walden, Braintree and Brentwood along with many individual schools.”
The Two Johns lead the training and awareness sessions for pupils, staff and parents each year, in October, across our local schools. They deliver excellent sessions giving pertinent messages.
Please look at the link to their website for updated information regarding e-safety:
Thinkuknow Website
The following link has a ‘Parents’ Guide to the Internet’. It includes a TV-style programme available for public viewing, taking an entertaining and light-hearted look at what it’s like to bring up children in the online world – featuring practical tips and amusing clips from some surprising sources! Tune in to learn more about what your child is up to online and how you can support them: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
It can seem difficult to keep up-to-date with the technology that children use. You can find out much more information and support about digital technologies here
Facebook requires individuals to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account. In some jurisdictions, the age limit may be higher. A useful link to the Parental Guide for Facebook is here: www.facebook.com/help/parents
As a reminder, as of May 2018, WhatsApp’s minimum age of use increased from 13 to 16 years old. A guide for parents/carers can be accessed using this link:
https://parentinfo.org/article/whatsapp-a-guide-for-parents-and-carers
Useful Online Protection Document for Parents including Gaming
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Parental Controls at Home
Most parental control software will have a feature that blocks the internet connection after a time specified by the parent. All Windows and Mac computers now have parental controls as standard and this particular feature is available from the user settings or control panel. As well as controlling the duration of access, the parental controls can also be configured to enable internet access during specified hours only (e.g. preventing night-time access!).
As well as parental controls on the computer itself, most home broadband routers (e.g. BT Broadband) have control options to limit internet access for any or all computers in the home. You can also configure them to turn off access during certain hours (usually through the night). See the relevant instruction manual for guidance.
Both parental control methods can be found really easily by searching the web, but the following links should be helpful:
Windows Parental Control:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/What-can-I-control-with-Parental-Controls
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Set-up-Parental-Controls
Mac Parental Control:
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/#parentalcontrols
School Policy – E-safety:
Online Safety Policy – November 2023
Online Safety Acceptable Use Agreement – supply teachers, peripatetic, coaches
Online Safety Acceptable Use Agreement – Staff, Gov, Student Teachers
Online Safety Acceptable Use Agreement – Pupils
