Online Safety at The Oaks

At The Oaks we regard Online Safety as an essential part of all our children’s learning.  All children need to be aware of safe and responsible use of ICT.

Online Safety encompasses not only Internet technologies but also electronic communications via mobile phones, games consoles and wireless technology. It highlights the need to educate children and young people about the benefits, risks and responsibilities of using information technology.

  • Online Safety concerns safeguarding children and young people in the digital world.
  • Online Safety emphasises learning to understand and use new technologies in a positive way.
  • Online Safety is less about restriction and more about education about the risks as well as the benefits so we can feel confident online.
  • Online Safety is concerned with supporting children and young people to develop safer online behaviours both in and out of school.

The 4 Cs of online safety: online safety risk for children

At The Oaks a whole school approach to online safety is taken on. The way schools and teachers use technology has changed hugely in the last few years, including the need for remote teaching during the pandemic. The apps, platforms and games that pupils use
have also developed hugely.
As the technology continues to evolve, so too do the risks that children and young people face online. This can present a challenge for teachers, schools and pupils however by using the framework of the 4 Cs of online safety, we can make sure we have plans and processes that are able to adapt in this ever-changing landscape.

What are the online safety rules to follow?

In all four nations of the UK, online safety is part of the statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance for schools and colleges. This includes keeping children safe from harmful and inappropriate content online as well as being able to recognise concerns
and take appropriate action. In England, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) is the statutory guidance for schools with the latest version in force from 1 September 2023.

The 4 Cs of online safety

An important step in improving online safety at school is identifying what the potential risks might be. KCSIE groups online safety risks into four areas: content, contact, conduct and commerce (sometimes referred to as contract).2 These are known as the 4
Cs of online safety.

Content

Content is anything posted online – it might be words or it could be images and video. Children and young people may see illegal, inappropriate or harmful content when online. This includes things like pornography, fake news, racism, misogyny, self-harm,
suicide, anti-Semitism, radicalisation and extremism.

Contact
Contact is about the risk of harm young people may face when interacting with other users online. This includes things like peer-to-peer pressure or seeing inappropriate commercial advertising. Sometimes adults pose as children or young adults with the intention of grooming or exploiting a child or young person for sexual, criminal, financial or other purposes.

Conduct
Conduct means the way people behave online. Some online behaviour can increase the likelihood, or even cause, harm – for example, online bullying. Conduct also includes things like sharing or receiving nudes and semi-nude images and viewing or sending
pornography.

Commerce
Commerce is about the risk from things like online gambling, inappropriate advertising, phishing or financial scams. Children and young people may be exposed to these risks directly. Schools should also consider how the risk from commerce applies to staff.

At The Oaks we ensure that children are safe and responsible on line by ensuring that:

  • Pupils are supervised appropriately when they use the Internet.
  • Pupils are given clear objectives for Internet use.
  • Pupils are provided with lists of relevant and suitable web sites.
  • Pupils are aware of their responsibilities.
  • Parents and carers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to child safety on the internet.
  • Curriculum planning identifies opportunities to enrich and extend learning activities via access to the Internet
  • Strong effective  filtering and monitoring systems are in place
  • Internet access is purchased through Bolton ICT, which provides a firewall that filters out inappropriate sites
  • We work with Bolton ICT to ensure systems to protect pupils are regularly reviewed and improved.

It is important that parents and carers speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online. It’s essential to be realistic. Education around safe use is essential.

Key Resources

Internet Matters

Online advice to support children by age of child and different ways to support them.

Net Aware at Safer Internet

Helpful tools to keep you updated with the latest social media that may be used by children.

NSPCC

Up to date information on how schools, parents and carers can work together to keep children safe online.

Parent Zone

A place for parents to get information about keeping their children safe online, including blogs, podcasts and resources.

The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education Team

An online area for children and adults, to give advice, information and support.

NSPCC

The NSPCC site has many useful links to support children and adults.

Bolton Schools ICT

Full of resources of parental guides on using different apps, how to use parental controls with varying devices and supporting your child/ren with staying safe online.

Vodafone Digital Parenting

Supporting parents in a digital world with up to date news on apps and devices as well as videos with information you can share with your child/ren.

ThinkUKnow Games

Games to support online safety for 4-7 year olds.

Safer Internet Resources

Online resource for parents with advice and tips regarding online safety.

Childnet Parents and Carers Toolkit

Resources that include practical advice and tips to help you keep your child safe online.

Digiduck

A collection of stories for 3-7 year olds.

Smartie the Penguin

An online story for 3-7 year olds.

This is the CEOP Button

This can be used if you find something online that makes you feel uncomfortable or if you are involved in a situation online that you know is not right. By clicking this button you will be directed to a special team of police officers that help to keep everyone safe online.

CEOPReportBtn

Follow this link to report something you are worried about online.

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