Useful Links There are a number of websites which children, and you as parents, may find useful when spending time online.
Would you like to report a concern online? The CEOP website is a great place to go to report any concerns you may have online. CEOP is there to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online. CEOP are unable to respond to reports about bullying, fake accounts or account hacking.
They are there to help and give you advice, and you can make a report to them directly if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried. This might be from someone your child knows in real life, or someone they have only ever met online. They take all reports seriously and they will do everything they can to keep you safe. As well as making a report to them, the CEOP Thinkuknow website has information and advice to help you if something has happened to you online. Read below for more details about this!
Thinkuknow is an excellent resource. It has brilliant tips of how to keep safe online and also resources which all ages can use.
Click here to access materials for children aged 4-5, 6-7, 8-10 or 11-13.
Is my child spending too much time on electronic devices? Many children enjoy spending time online. However, as this article suggests, not all screen time is equal. Spend some time creating rules for using electronic devices at home with your child and also discuss sanctions which can be used if these rules are broken.
Please see Mrs Cook, Online Safety Lead, if you have any further concerns about how much time your child is spending online.
Check your child's privacy settings! As children become older, it is natural for parents to allow them more time to become independent and spend screen time on their own. It's still important to check privacy and parental settings to make sure your child is spending time wisely online. It is suggested that your child's computer or device is in a room where you can regularly check what they are accessing and also monitor who they are communicating with.
Social Media Many children are aware of different social media platforms and some may have an account for them. Below are some examples of what age restrictions there are for common apps. Some of these might be surprising! It important that children are aware of what age they need to be to have an account for them. These age ratings have been devised by experts in this field, looking at the content and impact on children it may have.