Computers are everywhere! Today’s children are brought up in a world surrounded by technology, and it is increasingly important for children to know how to keep safe when using computers. This page contains information on what we do at Upton Infant School to teach children about e-safety.

• Children only use the internet at school whilst supervised.
• The school has filtering systems to block inappropriate content
• Each year group has an e-safety curriculum to teach children about keeping safe on the internet
• We run an e-safety workshops for parents, children and staff
• We run e-safety drama workshops for our Year Two children
• Children’s rights and responsibilities regarding the internet are agreed in class Internet Charters
• Children explore internet safety through ‘Jigsaw’ PHSE lessons

Keeping children safe on the internet at home

Whilst many Internet Service Providers offer filtering systems and tools to help you safeguard your child at home, it remains surprisingly easy for children to access inappropriate material including unsuitable text, pictures and movies. Parents are advised to set the security levels within Internet Explorer or other browsers with this in mind. Remember, mobile phones, games consoles and other devices can also access the Internet. Don’t deny children the opportunity to learn from and enjoy the wide variety of material and games available on the Internet, but discuss with them some simple rules for keeping safe online and making sure they understand their importance.

To keep your child safe they could:

• Ask permission before using the Internet and discuss what websites they are using
• Only use websites you have chosen together or a child friendly search engine
• Only email people they know, (why not consider setting up an address book?)
• Ask permission before opening an email sent by someone they don’t know
• Not use their real name when instant messaging, using games or websites on the Internet, (create a nick name)
• Never give out any personal information about themselves, friends or family online including home address, phone or mobile number
• Never arrange to meet someone they have ‘met’ on the Internet without talking to an adult first; always take an adult and meet in a public place
• Never tell someone they don’t know where they go to school or post any pictures of themselves in school uniform
• Only use a webcam with people they know
• Tell you immediately if they see anything they are unhappy with.