Online Safety

At  Charlton CE Primary School we understand that today’s children and young people are growing up in a digital world. It is a wonderful learning tool that supports their learning to become more knowledgeable. As they grow older, it is crucial that they learn to balance the benefits offered by technology with a critical awareness of their own and other’s online behaviour, and develop effective strategies for staying safe and making a positive contribution online. We strive to ensure our pupils at DPA are principled people on and offline.

Our children are taught Online Safety as discreet lessons and it is also woven through our curriculum.

We use Purple Mash as our Computing and Online Safety Curriculum provider. 

Resources and Websites

• Share Aware –   It can be hard to keep track of what your child is doing on social networks, apps and games. Or know how to keep them safe.  Together we’re helping parents untangle the web. And teach their children to be Share Aware.  Because, just like in real life, kids need your help to stay safe online.
• Think U Know – Think-U-Know is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
• Childnet: Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working in partnership with others around the world to help make the internet a great and safe place for children. The Childnet website hosts all the online resources detailed below, as well as a number of recommended resources for young people, parents, carers and teachers.
• Childnet Parent and Carer Resources: On our website you can access resources on a range of topics, including our previously branded Know IT All for Parents interactive guide. The Parents and Carers area also contains key advice, information on reporting and detailed information on a range of online safety topics in the Hot Topics section.
• UK Safer Internet Centre: Childnet is part of the European Commission appointed UK Safer Internet Centre. Together with partners the Internet Watch Foundation and the South West Grid for Learning, we raise awareness about internet safety, develop information materials and resources and organise high profile events such as Safer Internet Day.
• Digizen: A website providing information and advice to encourage responsible digital citizenship. It shares advice and guidance on preventing and responding to cyberbullying, including the film ‘Let’s Fight It Together’ and specific information on social networking.

Additional Pupil Links

• Horrible Histories – Lady Jane Grey – Beware what you Download Online
• Horrible Histories – Guy Fawkes – Internet Privacy Settings
• BBC Own It

Parent Guides

• Talking Points. Talking to your child – openly, and regularly – is the best way to help keep them safe online.

Parental Controls and Filtering

• A Parents’ Guide to Technology: The UK Safer Internet Centre has created this guide to answer commonly asked questions and introduce some of the most popular devices used by children, highlighting the safety tools available and empowering parents with the knowledge they need to support their children to use these technologies safely and responsibly.
• Internet Parental Controls: The four big internet providers – BT, Sky, Talk Talk and Virgin Media – provide their customers with free parental controls that can be activated at any time. Video tutorials on how to download and use these controls are available on the UK Safer Internet Centre website.

Computer Protection and Security

• Get Safe Online: A government website which focuses on online computer security and protection issues. It contains advice about firewalls, spyware and antivirus protection as well as how to protect children online.

Social Networking

• Charlton recommends that pupils avoid using all social networking sites and tools until they are of an appropriate age to do so.  If parents/families allow the use of such sites then they are strongly advised to use nicknames and avatars when using social networking sites, blogs, Wikis, instant messengers etc. Avatars and nicknames help give pupil’s a ‘hidden’ identity on the internet rather than encouraging them to upload photographs of themselves.
• SWGfL Social Media Checklists up to date and free to download guides on social media sites including TikTok and Roblox.
• With DoppelMe you can create a cool graphical likeness of yourself, your friends, family or any group of people for use as an avatar in forums, instant messenger, blogs and almost anywhere else on the web.
• Facebook Family Safety Centre: Provides useful information and tips for parents and carers, teens and educators. These pages do not require a Facebook account in order to view them.
• Google+ Safety Centre: Provides useful information and tips for parents and carers, teens and educators. These pages do not require a Google account in order to view them.
• Twitter Help Centre – Tips for Parents: Provides useful information and tips for parents and carers. These pages do not require a Twitter account in order to view them.

File Sharing and Downloading

• Get it Right from a Genuine Site: We’re here to help you get the music, TV, films, games, books, newspapers, magazines and sport that you love from genuine services and support UK creativity.

Reporting Your Concerns

ChildLine: ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything – no problem is too big or too small. Call free on 0800 1111, have a 1-2-1 chat online or send an email.