Online Safety
At Newall Green Primary School, we recognise the important part that the internet and digital technology play in children's lives. Technology gives children wonderful opportunities to learn, explore, create, communicate and develop new skills.
However, the online world also brings risks. Children may come across inappropriate content, experience unkind behaviour or cyberbullying, encounter people who are not who they say they are, or be exposed to scams, misinformation and other online harms.
We believe that the best way to help children stay safe is to give them the knowledge, skills and confidence to make sensible choices online and to know what to do when something does not feel right.
Our approach to online safety
Online safety is an important part of life at Newall Green Primary School. We teach children that the same values and expectations apply online as they do in the real world:
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Be kind and respectful to others.
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Keep personal information private.
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Think carefully before sharing photographs, videos or messages.
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Be careful about who you communicate with online.
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Remember that not everything you see or hear online is true.
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Tell a trusted adult if something online makes you feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe.
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Ask for help if something goes wrong.
Online safety is taught in an age-appropriate way through our curriculum, including Computing, Relationships Education and Health Education. We also reinforce these messages through assemblies, discussions and our wider school approach to safeguarding and behaviour.
The online world changes very quickly, so we focus not only on particular websites, apps or games but also on the skills children need to stay safe whatever technology they are using.
What are children learning about?
As children grow, the opportunities and risks they encounter online change. We help children develop their understanding of:
Keeping personal information safe
Children learn why information such as their full name, address, school, passwords, photographs and location should be protected and shared carefully.
Online relationships
We talk about how to communicate respectfully online and how online friendships and relationships can be different from relationships in the real world.
Children are encouraged to remember that someone they meet online may not always be who they claim to be.
Online bullying
We teach children that unkind behaviour is not acceptable online or offline. This includes messages, comments, photographs, videos and other forms of online communication.
Children are encouraged to tell an adult if they experience or see online bullying.
Inappropriate content
Children may sometimes see something online that is frightening, upsetting or unsuitable for their age. We teach children not to keep worrying experiences to themselves and to tell a trusted adult.
If your child sees something that concerns them, please encourage them to tell you or another trusted adult rather than trying to deal with it alone.
Online strangers and grooming
We teach children to recognise that people online may not always be who they say they are. Children should never feel pressured to keep an online friendship or conversation secret from a trusted adult.
If someone online asks them to do something that makes them uncomfortable, they should stop communicating and tell an adult.
Passwords and security
Children learn about strong passwords, keeping passwords private, logging out of accounts and recognising suspicious messages, links and websites.
Fake information, scams and misinformation
Not everything online is true. Children are taught to think carefully about what they see, read and hear online.
They learn to consider:
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Who created this?
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Why was it created?
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Is it trying to make me think or do something?
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Can I find the same information somewhere reliable?
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Could this be a scam?
These skills are increasingly important as children encounter online advertising, edited images, misleading information and AI-generated content.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly common part of children's digital lives.
We encourage children to use technology thoughtfully and safely and to understand that AI-generated information, images, videos and conversations are not necessarily accurate or trustworthy.
Children should never share personal or private information with an AI tool, and they should always speak to an adult if they encounter something online that worries or confuses them.
Screen time and wellbeing
Digital technology can be enjoyable and useful, but it is important that children have a healthy balance between time online and other activities.
We encourage families to think about:
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sleep and bedtime routines
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physical activity and outdoor play
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time with family and friends
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homework and reading
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breaks from screens
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the type of content children are viewing
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how online experiences are affecting their mood and wellbeing.
There is no single approach that works for every child. What matters is helping children develop healthy and balanced digital habits.
How can parents and carers help?
Parents and carers play an extremely important role in helping children stay safe online.
You do not need to be an expert in technology. The most important thing is to keep talking to your child and make sure they know that they can come to you if something goes wrong.
Talk regularly
Ask your child about what they enjoy doing online. Talk about the games they play, videos they watch, people they communicate with and anything that makes them feel happy, worried or uncomfortable.
Try to make conversations about online safety a normal part of family life rather than something that only happens when there is a problem.
Set age-appropriate boundaries
Think about which devices, apps, games and websites are appropriate for your child's age and maturity.
Check the age rating of games and apps and remember that an age rating is there for a reason. If your child asks to use a new app or service, take some time to find out how it works and what risks it may present.
Use parental controls
Parental controls can help you manage what children can access, who they can communicate with and how much they can spend.
However, parental controls are only one part of online safety. They work best alongside conversations, supervision and teaching children how to make safe choices for themselves.
Check privacy settings
Review privacy and safety settings on devices, apps, games and online accounts.
Encourage your child to keep accounts private where appropriate and to think carefully before sharing photographs, videos, personal information or their location.
Know how to report and block
Show your child how to:
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block someone who is making them uncomfortable
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report inappropriate content or behaviour
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leave a group or conversation that worries them
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ask for help from a trusted adult.
If something serious has happened, save relevant evidence such as messages or screenshots where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
If something goes wrong
If your child tells you that something worrying has happened online, try to stay calm and listen.
Reassure them that:
They have done the right thing by telling you.
Avoid blaming or shaming your child. Online situations can be complicated, and children may be frightened that they will get into trouble.
Depending on the situation, you may need to:
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Listen to your child and reassure them.
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Save evidence if appropriate.
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Block or report the account or content.
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Contact the school if another pupil is involved.
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Report serious concerns to the appropriate organisation or the police.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Concerns about online child sexual abuse can be reported to the National Crime Agency's CEOP Safety Centre.
Useful websites and support
We recommend the following trusted sources of advice and support for parents and children.
CEOP Education
The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education service provides advice for parents, carers, children and professionals about staying safe online, including online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
CEOP Education – Parents and Carers
Internet Matters
Internet Matters provides practical advice for parents and carers about children's online lives, including gaming, social media, devices, parental controls, online bullying and age-specific advice.
NSPCC
The NSPCC provides advice about keeping children safe online, including information about social media, gaming, online grooming and other online risks.
Childline
Childline provides free, confidential support for children and young people. Children can talk to Childline about anything that is worrying them.
Childnet
Childnet provides online safety advice and resources for children, parents, carers and schools.
UK Government – Online Safety and Media Literacy
The UK Government provides current information and resources to help children, young people, parents and carers stay safer online and develop the skills to think critically about online content.
GOV.UK – Online Safety and Media Literacy
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow provides age-appropriate online safety information and activities for children and young people, including resources for primary-aged children.
Remember: if in doubt, talk about it
The internet is an important part of children's lives and we want our pupils to enjoy all the opportunities that technology can provide.
Our aim is not to make children afraid of the online world. Instead, we want them to become confident, responsible and respectful digital citizens who know how to recognise risks, make good choices and ask for help when they need it.
If you have any questions or concerns about online safety, please speak to a member of staff at Newall Green Primary School.
Together, we can help our children enjoy the benefits of technology while developing the knowledge and confidence they need to stay safe online.