Online Safety
Online Safety
Here at Westwood, we recognise that internet, mobile and digital technologies provide a great opportunity for children and young people to learn, socialise and play, but we also understand our responsibility to ensure our children are safe. The digital world is an amazing place, but with few rules. It is vast and fast moving and young people’s future economic success may be partly dependent on their online skills and reputation. We are, therefore, committed to ensuring that all pupils, staff and governors will be able to use internet, mobile and digital technologies safely. This is part of our safeguarding responsibility. Staff are aware that some pupils may require additional support or teaching, including reminders, prompts and further explanation to reinforce their knowledge and understanding of online safety issues.
We are also committed to ensuring that all those who work with children and young people, including their parents/carers, are informed about the ever-changing risks so that they can take an active part in the safeguarding of children.
Westwood Primary School Online Safety Policy
We always aim to keep parents up to date with changes to Online Safety and to provide assistance on any specific issues that parents may have. As such we regularly update our website and send out Newsletters and Questionnaires from time to time to give you the chance to tell us how we can help. However, please do not hesitate to ask for either Mrs Oates or Mrs Brown to contact you directly at any time.
The following are a range of useful links for help and information on Online Safety issues:
Autumn 2015 saw the release of this excellent website. It was developed out of a partnership between CEOP and The Parent Zone and contains lots of good E-Safety advice.
Here you will find e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.
An organisation working directly with children, parents and teachers to ensure that the issues of online child protection and the safe and positive use of the internet are addressed.
This is an essential site to visit if you are interested in e-safety. This gives you the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. This site also contains information and resources that are useful both in the classroom and at home. There is also a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or are worried about someone they are chatting to online. This site is run by the team at CEOP - Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre.
One in five young people have experienced bullying by text message or via email. This web site gives advice for children and parents on cyberbullying.
www.nspcc.org.uk/what-we-do/about-us/partners/nspcc-o2-online-safety-partnership
The NSPCC has joined forces with O2 to provide a great website with tips on how to talk to your child about online safety and what to do if you have concerns.
Lots of guidance and articles for parents about keeping their children safe online.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Purple Mash has recently added an advice leaflet for parents to their website -
A Parent's Guide to Wellbeing.
It provides guidance and support regarding important conversations around mental health and wellbeing with your child and can be accessed via the link below.
The NSPCC have also introduced a Report Remove tool whereby children, young people and adults can report nude images of them that are circulating social media and ensure they are taken down.
You can access this Tool at the following link:
News!
If you have any concerns regarding cyberbullying, as well as talking to us about your worries you can also access Childnet which is great website that gives support and tips on how to deal with many of the online issues our children face, You can find it at the address below.
https://www.childnet.com/help-and-advice/online-bullying-11-18-year-olds/
Don't forget
You can also access lots of advice and information on E-Safety as well as general computing issues at the Parents' Hub on Purple Mash.
