Staying Safe Online
Worried about a child?
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The internet and digital technology are an important part of children's lives. They offer wonderful opportunities to learn, explore, create and connect with others. However, we also understand that the online world can present challenges and risks, particularly for younger children who are still developing the skills needed to recognise and manage them.
Our aim is to help every child develop the knowledge, confidence and understanding to enjoy technology safely, responsibly and respectfully. Online safety is a shared responsibility, and we believe that working closely with families is the best way to help children navigate an increasingly digital world.
Learning About Online Safety at School
Online safety is an important part of our curriculum and everyday school life.
Through Computing, PSHE, Relationships and Health Education and regular conversations, we help children understand how to use technology positively and safely.
Children learn about:
- Staying safe online: Understanding personal information, privacy and the importance of keeping details secure.
- Healthy relationships: Recognising respectful behaviour, kindness and appropriate communication online.
- Recognising risks: Understanding that not everything they see or hear online is reliable, appropriate or safe.
- Online bullying: Knowing how to recognise unkind behaviour, seek support and respond safely.
- Digital wellbeing: Developing healthy habits and understanding the importance of balancing screen time with other activities.
- Asking for help: Knowing that they should always tell a trusted adult if something online makes them feel worried, upset or uncomfortable.
We encourage children to be thoughtful, responsible digital citizens and remind them that the same expectations of kindness and respect apply online as they do in school.
Keeping Children Safe at Home
Children are often confident using technology from a very young age, but they still need guidance, boundaries and support from adults.
You do not need to be a technology expert to help keep your child safe online. Small, everyday conversations and sensible precautions can make a real difference.
Our top tips for families:
- Talk regularly. Ask your child what they enjoy doing online, which games they play and who they communicate with.
- Explore together. Take an interest in the apps, websites and games your child uses.
- Check age ratings. Many social media platforms, games and messaging services have minimum age requirements, and not all are suitable for primary-aged children.
- Use parental controls. Set appropriate restrictions on devices, apps, games and your home broadband.
- Keep devices in shared spaces. Particularly for younger children, this makes supervision and conversations easier.
- Encourage a healthy balance. Make time for physical activity, outdoor play, reading, family activities and sleep.
- Keep communication open. Reassure your child that they can always tell you if something happens online that makes them uncomfortable or worried.
- Most importantly, encourage your child to speak to you without fear of getting into trouble.
Social Media, Messaging and Online Gaming
Online games, messaging groups and social media can be enjoyable ways for children to communicate, but they can also expose them to inappropriate content, unkind behaviour or contact with people they do not know.
We encourage parents and carers to think carefully about whether particular apps, games and platforms are appropriate for their child's age and stage of development.
Many popular social media platforms have a minimum age of 13, and some services have additional age requirements or restrictions. We strongly encourage families to respect these age limits.
Even games designed for children may include chat functions, opportunities to communicate with strangers or purchases within the game.
Group chats can sometimes lead to friendship difficulties, misunderstandings and unkind comments that affect children's relationships in school.
We encourage families to supervise children's online interactions, check privacy settings regularly and ensure children are only using age-appropriate platforms.
If an issue online is affecting your child's wellbeing or friendships at school, please speak to us. We will work with you to offer support.
Parent WhatsApp Groups and Social Media
We recognise that parent and carer WhatsApp groups can be a helpful way for families to keep in touch, share reminders and support one another.
These groups are organised independently by parents and carers and are not managed or monitored by Bosley St Mary's CE Primary School. Messages shared within these groups do not represent official school communications.
We ask everyone using parent messaging groups or social media to help maintain the kindness, respect and sense of community that we value at Bosley.
Our Expectations
- When using WhatsApp groups or other social media platforms connected with school life, we ask parents and carers to:
- Treat everyone with kindness, courtesy and respect.
- Respect the privacy and confidentiality of children, families and staff.
- Avoid discussing individual children, staff members or sensitive school matters within group conversations.
- Never use groups to share complaints, grievances, rumours or personal criticisms.
- Refrain from sharing photographs or information about other people's children without appropriate permission.
- Avoid language or behaviour that could be considered threatening, discriminatory, intimidating or bullying.
- Raise concerns about school directly with us rather than through social media or messaging groups.
Raising Concerns
We understand that parents and carers will occasionally have questions, worries or concerns about school life.
We always encourage families to speak directly with us so that we can listen, understand the situation and work towards a positive resolution.
WhatsApp groups and social media are not appropriate places to discuss individual children, staff members or confidential school matters.
If something is worrying you, please contact us directly. We would always prefer the opportunity to have a conversation and work together.
Where online behaviour raises safeguarding concerns, the school will consider what action is necessary to protect members of our school community.
Managing Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing
Technology can support learning and creativity, but children also need time to play, exercise, socialise and rest.
Rather than focusing only on the number of minutes spent on a screen, it is helpful to consider what children are doing online, how it affects their wellbeing and whether it is balanced with other activities.
Establishing family routines, agreeing sensible boundaries and modelling healthy technology habits can all help children develop a positive relationship with screens.
Internet Matters provides useful, age-specific advice for families:
Useful Websites and Resources for Parents
There is a wealth of reliable advice available to help families understand online risks, set parental controls and have conversations with children about online safety.
- Internet Matters: Practical guidance on screen time, online gaming, social media, parental controls and age-appropriate technology.
- NSPCC – Online Safety: Helpful advice for parents about keeping children safe online, recognising risks and responding to concerns.
- CEOP Education: Information and resources from the National Crime Agency to help parents understand online safety, grooming and exploitation.
- Childnet: Practical advice and resources for parents and carers, including conversation starters and guidance on online behaviour.
- UK Safer Internet Centre: Resources covering popular apps, games, social media, privacy settings and online safety concerns.
What Should I Do if Something Goes Wrong Online?
If your child experiences something upsetting, frightening or inappropriate online, it is important to respond calmly and reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you.
- Listen carefully, take their concerns seriously and avoid blaming them.
- Where appropriate, use the reporting and blocking tools available on the platform and seek further advice if necessary.
- If there is evidence of harmful or abusive behaviour, preserve relevant messages and account details where safe to do so. Do not share or forward sexual images of children.
Reporting Online Concerns
- Online grooming or sexual exploitation: Report concerns directly to the CEOP Safety Centre.
- Online bullying or harmful content: Report the issue to the platform involved. You can also seek advice from Report Harmful Content.
- Concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing: Contact the school safeguarding team or seek advice from the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.
- If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.