The internet has changed all of our lives, particularly our children’s. For parents and carers this opens up a whole new world of things to be aware of. For many of us, this can all be a bit too much. You might be struggling to keep up with the things your child is doing online, you might wonder whether what they are doing is safe, and you might also be thinking, "How can I be as good a parent online, as I am in the real world?" What the professionals in this field tell us, is that the online world is entirely 'real'. Communications and activity online link directly to real live situations.

If you have any concerns about your child's online world, or see any changes in behaviour, evidence of 'cyber bullying' from peers, or inappropriate adult contact online with your child, please do not hesitate to drop in to school to see if we can help out. We are as trained and up-to-date as we can be, and will either advise you what to do, or know who to sign-post you to.

Above all, be open and understanding with your children about the online world of today. Almost certainly, before they reach high school, their interactions with others will not just revolve around conversations and phone calls any more. Yet it's not practical to ban other forms of private communication; messaging apps, social media, group chats, in-game channels, photo and video messaging, webcams etc. What you can do is monitor and support your children to use these safely and wisely with your guidance and ours.  

Here are some websites which offer advice and support with safe online learning and social media:

• Home - eSafety Training - for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
• Internet matters - for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
• London Grid for Learning - for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
• Net-aware - for support for parents and carers from the NSPCC
• Parent info - for support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online
• Thinkuknow - for advice from the National Crime Agency to stay safe online
• UK Safer Internet Centre - advice for parents and carers
• London Grid for Learning has support for parents and carers to keep their children safe online, including tips to keep primary aged children safe online
• Net-aware has support for parents and carers from the NSPCC and O2, including a guide to social networks, apps and games
• Let’s Talk About It has advice for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation
• UK Safer Internet Centre has tips, advice, guides and other resources to help keep children safe online, including parental controls offered by home internet providers and safety tools on social networks and other online services
• CEOP - for advice on making a report about online abuse

We encourage you to set age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices and use internet filters to block malicious websites.  These are usually free, but often need to be turned on.  Please read this poster from LGFL which provides some top tips for parents on internet safety.

We would also like to signpost you to some websites, which offer age appropriate practical support:

 Childline, Thinkuknow and NSPCC - for support

• UK Safer Internet Centre - to report and remove harmful online content
• CEOP - for advice on making a report about online abuse

Harmful or upsetting content

If you or your child receives harmful or upsetting content you can get support by:

• reporting harmful online content to the UK Safer Internet Centre
• getting government advice and trusted resources from Educate Against Hate on safeguarding from radicalisation, building resilience to extremism, and promoting shared values

Bullying or abuse online

You can:

• get advice on reporting online abuse from the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection command
• get advice and support from Anti-Bullying Alliance for children who are being bullied