Online safety - protecting your child     

Why is online safety important?

Here at Mary Exton we take every aspect of childrens' safety very seriously. In the quickly evolving world of technology and social media, online safety has never been more relevant.

Both the school and parents/carers need to ensure all is done to make technology an enjoyable, but safe, resource for learning and playing.

 

How does the school cover online safety?

Quite often, the first experience the children get with many technologies is at school; it is therefore important they are taught how to use them correctly and safely. As a school, it is our duty to teach children about online safety discreetly in computing lessons (taught using the Herts for Learning Scheme), assemblies and also through themed days.

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What can I do at home?

Below are some links that parents/guardians can access to guide you through safely using the internet, and how to ensure the children can do the same. 

 

 

 

Additional information and advice about supporting young people can be found by clicking below on the titles of the individual leaflets. These are provided by Childnet International.

Keeping young children safe online

Supporting young people online

Copies of the above leaflets are found below in additional languages.

Leaflet in other languages 

The CEOP – Children Exploitation and Online Protection – website provides a direct link to the Police if something online needs to be reported. The CEOP symbol can be found on many websites and can be clicked to follow the link.

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

For additional information please follow the link below from the Hertfordshire Grid for Learning - Useful links for parents.
 

 

 
 
Cyber-bullying

Cyber-bullying (also called 'online bullying') is when a person or a group of people uses the internet, email, online games or any other kind of digital technology to threaten, tease, upset or humiliate someone else.

It is anticipated that the majority of children will experience this at some point in their lives and mainly when a teenager.

 

The following book to share with younger children has been provided by childnet.

Digiduck's Big Decision e-book

 

If you feel your child is a victim of cyber-bullying or another form of bullying please get in touch with school as soon as possible, and we will be more than happy to discuss this and work to find a solution. You can call us on 01462 456997.

You can read our relevant policy here: Schools Anti-Bullying Policy

 

Children who require further advice and do not have a trusted adult should access the childline page.