At St Bede, the safety and wellbeing of our children is always our highest priority, and this includes helping them to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.  Technology does provide a wonderful range of opportunities for learning, creativity and communication, but it is essential that children develop the knowledge and skills needed to use it with confidence, care and wisdom.

 

Online safety is embedded throughout our curriculum and forms an important part of our wider safeguarding provision.  Through lessons, assemblies and class discussions, pupils learn how to stay safe online, protect their personal information, communicate respectfully, and know what to do if something online makes them feel worried or uncomfortable.

 

We know that parents and carers play a vital role in supporting children’s online activity at home.  Working together, we can help children enjoy the many benefits of technology whilst developing healthy, positive and safe digital habits.

 

To support families, we recommend the following trusted sources of advice, information and guidance:

 

• UK Safer Internet Centre – Expert advice, guides and conversation starters to help parents and carers support children online. Parents and Carers Resources [saferinternet.org.uk]
• Internet Matters – One of the UK's leading online safety organisations, offering practical guidance on parental controls, social media, online gaming, screen time and emerging technologies such as AI. Internet Matters [internetmatters.org]
• Childnet – Child-friendly resources and parent guides covering topics such as online wellbeing, gaming, cyberbullying, social media and digital resilience. Parents & Carers Hub [childnet.com]
• CEOP Education – Advice and support for parents and carers, including guidance on reporting concerns and protecting children from online exploitation. CEOP Parent Information [ceopeducation.co.uk]
• Common Sense Media – Independent reviews of apps, games, websites, films and TV programmes to help families make informed choices about age-appropriate content. Common Sense Media

 

One of the most effective ways to keep children safe online is through regular conversations at home. Taking an interest in the apps, games and websites your child enjoys, setting clear expectations, and encouraging them to speak openly about their online experiences can make a significant difference.

 

At St Bede, we are committed to fostering a culture of trust, courage and respect, where children feel confident to seek help if something does not feel right. By working together as a school and family community, we can help our children become safe, responsible and positive digital citizens.  If you have any questions or concerns about online safety, please do not hesitate to speak to your child's teacher, Mrs Duck or Mr Metcalfe. We are always happy to help and support families in keeping children safe online.