Safeguarding

Online Safety

At Little Lever School we have strict filtering and monitoring systems that ensure the online safety of our students in school. We filter out inappropriate content so that it cannot be accessed in school and have advanced monitoring software that will alert us to when attempts have been made to access such content.

We know however that our students have 24/7 access to electronic devices. Whilst these can have enormous benefits, they can also pose risk if we do not educate and monitor young people as they navigate the online world in the same way they do the real world.

These risks are grouped into four categories:

  • Conduct: children’s behaviour may put them at risk
  • Content: access to inappropriate or unreliable content may put children at risk
  • Contact: interaction with unsuitable, unpleasant or dangerous people may put children at risk
  • Commercialism: children’s use of platforms with hidden costs may put them at risk

How do we educate students in online safety?

Our curriculum thoroughly covers online safety and this is completed through both computing and life chances lessons in school.

In addition to this we cover online safety in school assemblies and use external speakers from the Greater Manchester Police and other relevant agencies to support us in doing so.

Where we identify a need, we will also support students with 1-1 tuition in online safety and our safeguarding team is always on hand to offer immediate support to a student.

 

What can I do to help my child?

  1. Set a screen time plan that balances time with and without devices. It’s important that children are still encouraged to do activities that aren’t just on a screen. Everyone will be different, but set a clear plan on getting a balance that works.
  2. Stick to an electronic night-time. You can lock devices to go off at a certain time or set the wi-fi to turn off for certain users at a specific time. The temptation to game or stay on social media into the small hours can be too much for some.
  3. Have an open phone policy. Physically look through your child’s phone and openly discuss things that concern you when you see them.
  4. Monitor your child’s devices electronically. There are many ways to track your child’s usage through apps and different software. These will deter your child from accessing inappropriate content and let you know if they do.
  5. Check their settings. As well as monitoring, you can use devices settings to make sure that they cannot access inappropriate content to begin with.
  6. Make sure your child knows they can come to you about their experiences online. Everyone will make mistakes. Being confident to discuss something early might prevent it escalating into something more serious
  7. Watch for signs of problematic media use. In teenagers, this could include withdrawing from friendships and hobbies. Suddenly trying to hide content on devices or changing passwords, regularly deleting history or searches, and having additional devices you didn’t know about are all concerns. Any unexplained changes in behaviour could indicate a problem in either the real world or online world.
  8. Respond calmly if something happens. There are different tools and organisations that can help. Our safeguarding team will help too. Responding calmly is important so we can get the full facts and ensure that children are always confident to come to us before things get worse.

Who do we work with?

Internet Watch Foundation

The IWF work to make the internet a safer place, by identifying & removing inappropriate images of children from the internet

NSPCC Report Remove

NSPCC Report Remove advises young people on safe internet usage and supports in removing unwanted or inappropriate images from the internet

Greater Manchester Police

Support us in educating young people about policing and the law surrounding the online world. We also work closely with the police when we have concerns that a young person is a significant risk from online criminal activity.

Where else can I find support and guidance?

CEOP – for advice on making a report about online abuse
Parents and carers | CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk)

 

Childnet International – offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, and to find out where to get more help and support
Parents & carers | Childnet

 

Internet matters provide age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls, and practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world
https://www.internetmatters.org

 

Lucy Faithfull Foundation can be used by parents and carers who are concerned about someone’s behaviour, including children who may be displaying concerning sexual behaviour (not just about online)
Stop It Now! UK and Ireland | Preventing child sexual abuse

 

Marie Collins Foundation – Sexual Abuse Online
Welcome to Marie Collins Foundation

 

NSPCC 
Keeping children safe online | NSPCC

 

Parentzone provides help for parents and carers on keeping their children safe online
Parent Zone | At the heart of digital family life

 

Safetycentre – social media Online Safety Guides
https://oursafetycentre.co.uk/safetycards

 

Tiktok
https://parentzone.org.uk/article/tiktok

 

 

UK safer internet centre provide tips, advice, guides and other resources to help keep children safe online and to report and remove harmful online content.
Parents and Carers – UK Safer Internet Centre