Online Safety at Archbishop Sentamu Academy.
Online safety is embedded into the curriculum at our academy. Students are first introduced to this in Year 7 in their ICT lessons, but this is also addressed in PSCHE lessons, and during tutor sessions each term. In addition, we also hold assemblies dedicated to this issue.
Online safety is an important part of life at the academy, and any online safety issues are regularly monitored and addressed. We do this through the monitoring of the school network, as well as through student survey feedback and through the monitoring of incident logs.
A link to our Online Safety policy can be found here: Online Safety Rules. In addition all students are required to sign our Acceptable Use Policy each year.
If you are concerned about any aspects of online safety, please contact the school directly for more information/advice on onlinesafety@sentamuacademy.org .
What can I do to keep my child safe online?
As parents and carers it is important to recognise that the internet is a valuable resource with many advantages to young people; its safe and positive use is actively encouraged by the academy. However, the internet is always changing, and young people sometimes need support and advice with aspects of how best to stay safe online.
This video produced by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) provides useful information.
Staying Safe Online Handbook – HSCB – Staying Safe Online Booklet
Be involved
It is essential to be involved in your child’s online life, and asking questions about what your child is using the internet for, and how they are using it can be a good starting point. Just like in the ‘real world’ boundaries need to be set online. To help you with this, appropriate parental controls can be set on devices which link to the internet, such as the TV, PCs, games consoles, laptops, tablets and mobile phones. In addition, you can set parental controls via service provider. Information for how to set network parental controls if KC is your broadband provider can be found here: https://www.kcomhome.com/products/broadband/parental-controls/
Model good behaviour
You should encourage your child to ‘think before they post’, and help them to understand that some online behaviour may be illegal (such as downloading or sharing inappropriate content with others). Encourage your child to protect their personal information, and use strong passwords for their accounts.
Online Gaming
From virtual reality to the latest advice. Childnet have updated their guide to help parents and carers get to grips with their children’s online gaming. The guide offers basic, but extremely useful hints and tips of how they can keep their children safe online. Link: Online Gaming Information
Advice on how to talk to your child about the risks of online porn and sexually explicit material
Children and young people are now able to access porn online very easily. Whether by accident – website pop-ups and misleading links, or because they are actively looking, it’s important for us to help young people understand the impact porn can have on them and their relationships. Link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-porn
Video Chat, sharing and streaming apps – NSPCC Report
Video is one of the most popular methods of communication for young people. You may find it helps your child to stay in contact with family members, talk with multiple friends at any one time, or just get creative. But there can also be risks. It’s important that both adults and children understand the dangers involved in using video apps and broadcasting live content – and what to do to keep children and young people safe. Link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/video-chat-sharing-streaming/#.WYQkNr_Mn9x.twitter
Cyberbullying – Childnet advice for children and parents
In the latest research by anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label it was found that 69% of young people under 20 have done something abusive to another person online, while 17% of young people have experienced cyberbullying. We give advice for parents and carers concerned about cyberbullying and practical tips for how they can support their child. Link: http://www.childnet.com/blog/cyberbullying-advice-for-parents-and-carers
Useful links
http://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/files/Parents%20Pack_Whats%20the%20problem_11Mar2015.pdf – practical advice on what to do if your child has got into trouble online
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/ – Useful for finding out more about keeping your child safe online.
https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers – Advice for parents and carers
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/ – Advice on parental controls
http://www.antibullying.net/cyberbullying1.htm – How to deal with online bullying
http://www.childnet.com/sorted/ – Tips for how to keep your information safe online
http://educateagainsthate.com/ – Advice and support about protecting young people from the dangers of extremism and radicalisation
Reporting concerns
In the academy incidents, should first be reported to the Head of House. Issues can also be reported via the online safety email onlinesafety@sentamuacademy.org.
It is also possible for students to report issues regarding online sexual exploitation or abuse themselves via the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre by clicking on the CEOP button.
They can also call Childline about any online safety issues on 0800 1111.