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 plan. 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 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 Eliminating Child Sexual Abuse Online | Internet Watch Foundation IWF

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

 

NSPCC Report Remove Remove nude images shared online | NSPCC

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

Where else can I find support and guidance?

CEOP CEOP Safety Centre - For advice on making a report about online abuse

Childnet Childnet — Online safety for young people - 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

NSPCC Keeping children safe online | NSPCC - Keeping children safe online

Parent Zone What parents need to know about TikTok | Parent Zone - What parents need to know about Tik Tok and their children.