E-safety
Welcome to our Online Safety page
We hope you find it both useful and informative.
The Internet has become an integral part of children’s lives. Most of us use it every day. We can search for information and find things out. We can see pictures of faraway places and talk to people on the other side of the world. We can share things with our family and friends and publish information of our own like photographs or diaries. We can do all of this just by pushing a few buttons! This, however, brings with it the need to ensure that our children are safe while online.
The thing to remember is that the internet is an anonymous place. A place where anybody in the world can be publishing anything they like, pretending to be anybody. It’s important to remember that anyone can put anything on the internet. Following the simple rules below will help to keep you safe online:
Be online
Secret (keep your address, email address, full name, phone number and school a secret)
Meeting (never agree to meet someone you’ve only met online)
Attachments (junk email can be dangerous so don’t just open them)
Reliable (remember that what you see online may not be true)
Tell (if you see anything that makes you feel unsafe online)
We take online safety very seriously. Here are some ways in which we help our children to stay safe online:
- School's internet service is heavily filtered by our Internet Service Provider.
- We have a current e-safety policy.
- When teaching Computing, our staff include online safety as part of the curriculum.
- We run regular assemblies which give children opportunities to learn about and discuss online safety issues. All children are also aware that if they are ever worried about anything they can talk to any adult in school about this.
- The children's area of our website has an online safety section.
- Posters are displayed around school.
Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership
The BSCP is a body which works to ensure that children and young people throughout Birmingham are kept safe and have their needs met. Their website is here.
Important Contact Details
Starting Point (for all safeguarding concerns)
Telephone: 0121 303 1888
NSPCC - National Helpline
0808 800 5000
Childline
0800 11 11
Online Gaming - Guides for Parents
Here at Shaw Hill Primary, we love computers and computer games. They can be great learning experiences, as well as a lot of fun! This is, of course, as long as children are kept safe online. National Online Safety, a great organisation dedicated to online safety, has published the following guides. We hope you find these helpful.
'Screen addiction'
It can be challenging for parents and carers to know whether children are spending too much time on their devices. Furthermore, it's even more of a challenge to know whether a child is addicted to social media. Read the guide below for information on what is known as 'screen addiction'.
'Live streaming'
Live streaming is the term used to describe the broadcast of a real-time video from a mobile device, tablet or games console. Live streaming opens up a world of excitement for children, where they can watch live concerts, celebrities, and connect with their friends. The 'stream' can go both ways, and there are apps which enable children to broadcast their own live streams. There are many positives to this technology, but there are dangers with it, too. Click the link below to see National Online Safety's guide.
App Stores
'Apps' are designed to run on certain devices and are written for a specific operating system, such as Apple iOS, Windows, or Android. There are some tips below to help you moderate and manage your children's use of an app store.
YouTube
YouTube is a video sharing site/application that enables users to upload, view, rate, share and comment on a wide variety of videos. Some of our pupils own YouTube accounts, so we're including the guide below to help parents keep their children safe.
One of the most popular messaging apps in the world. It is used to send and receive text, photos, videos and documents, as well as to make voice and video calls. If your child is using WhatsApp, there are some tips in the leaflet below to help keep them safe.
Twitch
Describing itself as a 'community of millions who come together to create their own unique, live, unpredictable, never-to-be-repeated entertainment', Twitch is a popular platform for online gaming enthusiasts. With young children and teenagers using the platform, it is important for parents and trusted adults to be aware of the associated risks. See more info in the leaflet below.
Reddit is a rather unique site that blends the idea of a social network with news, discussion forums and various other media. The leaflet below contains some helpful tips for parents.
TikTok
TikTok is a global video community where users create, share and discover 'funny and memorable moments' via short video clips - typically about 15 seconds long. See the leaflet below for some helpful parents' tips.
Minecraft
Minecraft is played by millions of children around the world. Players have the freedom to build their own landscapes and creations. They also have the opportunity to explore other people's creations with their characters, connecting to online servers which other players can create. If your child is playing Minecraft, there are some tips in the leaflet below to help keep them safe.
Instagram is a photo sharing app that allows users to share images and videos with the world. The app has a live streaming feature and additional add-ons, such as 'Boomerang', 'Hyperlapse' and 'Layout', which can be used to enhance their feed. There are some tips in the leaflet below for parents whose children are using Instagram.
PUBG
PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, known as PUBG for short, is an online multiplayer gaming experience, and one of the most popular games in the world. Click the link below for more information, and tips for parents whose children are playing this game.
Roblox
Roblox is a multi-player online gaming platform which allows children to play and create a variety of 3D games. It also features online payments. There are some tips in the leaflet below for parents whose children are playing this game.
Snapchat
Snapchat is a photo sharing app for mobile phones and tablets. Some of our pupils are using this app, and there are some handy hints for parents in the leaflet below.
Fortnite: Battle Royale
"Fortnite: Battle Royale" is sweeping the nation at the moment, and we thought you'd appreciate National Online Safety's guide to the game. There are some tips in the guide to help keep children safe if they're playing.
Thanks to National Online Safety.
Online Safety Guides
- Parents guide to online gaming
- Parental controls on PlayStation 4
- Parental controls on your Xbox
- Parents guide to tablets
- Parents guide to Nintendo
- Parents guide to iPhone
- Set up Youtube safety controls
- Set up Google Safe Search
- Parents guide to Facebook
- Child Internet Safety
- Internet Safety
- Supporting young people online
- Learning Disabilities, Autism and Internet Safety: A Parent’s Guide
- A Parents’ Guide to Google+
- KIK’S Guide For Parents
Online Safety Video
Useful Links
CEOP
CEOP is the main UK agency responsible for keeping children safe on-line and has a wealth of information and links to help you. This is predominantly aimed at adults. Click here for the website.
ChildLine
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything. Call free on 0800 1111, have a 1-2-1 chat online or send an email. Click here for the website.
Think U Know
This site aims to make online parenting simple. Even if the only search engine you use is a pair of binoculars, do not despair. Here you’ll find practical tips and simple guidance. Click here for the website.
NiDirect
This site helps your child enjoy the internet safely. Make sure your child knows to always keep private information safe and watch what they say on the internet. Click here for the website.
Safe Search
Safe Search for Kids is a powerful safe search tool that filters search results to enhance your kids safe search experience. Click here for the website.
Helping parents keep their children safe online
Click on the highlighted link below to view the poster
What is staying safe online?
Click on the highlighted link below to view the leaflet.
Protect your children from cyberbullying
Click on the highlighted link below to view the leaflet.
NSPCC
Learn more about social networks which your children may be using (e.g. Facebook), and further information about how to help keep them safe online
Parent Info
Parent Info provides high quality information to parents and carers about their children's wellbeing and resilience - including online safety.
Internet Matters
Keeping your children safe matters! Internet Matters is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to help parents keep their children safe online. We believe in maximising children's potential online, while staying safe and Internet Matters can help parents to address this important issue. Please click here for the website.
