Technology is an ever increasing part of our lives and while it can provide enjoyment and education it also comes with risks to safety. Children at Sudley Primary School use the internet regularly in school as part of their learning. At Sudley we understand that technology enhances learning, and collectively ensure that pupils benefit from this by encouraging responsible online behaviour. Online Safety is a key part of the Computing National Curriculum and our pupils have regular Online Safety lessons to remind them of the importance of keeping themselves safe online and how to do it.

Through our carefully planned curriculum, we ensure that our children are equipped with the skills and resilience to be responsible, respectful and safe users of technology. We want the children to see the benefits of technology but understand the risks and responsibilities that come with using it. We have a comprehensive long term plan ensuring that all children have dedicated, age appropriate lessons. In addition, we discuss relevant concerns with children and parents.

In school, we use a strictly monitored filtering system across all of our technologies which includes computers, laptops and iPads. This prevents children from accessing or being exposed to inappropriate websites or content. We also have regular 'online safety' activities and create physical displays throughout the school to remind children and show them the importance of remaining safe online. 

The DFE highlights the risks of new technologies:

‘The use of technology has become a significant component of many safeguarding issues. Child sexual exploitation, radicalisation, sexual predation- technology often provides the platform that facilitates harm. The breadth of issues classified within online safety is considerable, but can be categorised into three areas of risk:

• content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material

• contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users

• conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm’

We strive to support families in their use of technology outside of the school environment by signposting parents and carers to useful sources of information and guidance.

If children are using the internet at home either unauthorised or unsupervised then this can expose them to all the good, bad and unsuitable things that can be found there.

Here are some simple ideas and links to help you to keep your children safe online.

• Look at e-safety sites - you can use the links on the main e-safety page to go through them with your children.
• Social Media Sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat etc) - Many of these sites have a minimum age limit (usually 13 years) which means our children should NOT be using them as they are too young to fully understand the risks that are involved and keep themselves safe. These sites allow anyone to communicate with your children, use information about them and potentially put your children at risk.
• Keep your computer in a shared area - Talk to your children about what they do online and if possible keep the online access in a shared area where it can be observed.

The internet is fantastic and gives us access to all kinds of amazing sites. If we follow some simple steps we can all use it safely as well.