With technology advancing at a rate faster than most of us can keep up with, and with the added pressure of children nowadays being at the forefront of exposure to this advanced technological age with regard to the internet, mobile phones, laptops, computers and tablet devices, we believe that e-safety awareness and safe practice is of paramount importance.
While prevention is sometimes better than the cure as it is so often said, we understand and appreciate the need for children to learn of and embrace these technologies and as a result we equally understand the need to teach them to use it responsibly, ethically, wisely and to guide them on how to best prepare themselves to stay safe while online.
It’s essential to be realistic - banning the internet or technology will not work and it often makes a child less likely to report a problem. Educating children around safe use is essential.
E-Safety is an important part of keeping children safe at Eastry C of E Primary School. We have security measures in place in school, which are monitored both internally and externally, to help safeguard pupils from potential dangers or unsuitable material. Any E-Safety incidents are recorded and managed. E-Safety is taught to all pupils explaining and demonstrating how to stay safe and behave appropriately online.
We can only be successful in keeping children safe online if we work with parents to ensure the e-Safety message is consistent. It is important that parents speak to their children about how they can keep safe and behave appropriately online.
In school we also have digital leaders made up of children who have a knowledge of technology and would like to be a point of reference for other children in school.
Year 6 Online Safety Podcasts
Our Year 5 and Year 6 children took part in online safety assembly organised by Kent Police and Collaborate Digital. The year 6s then took par in a variety of workshops and created podcasts to support other children to stay safe online.
Child Protection Policy Including On-Line Safety
The following information has been gathered to guide parents and carers with online safety. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s online safety then please speak to Sarah Moss, designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or Tracy Inglis, Family Liaison Officer and DSL.
Our SMART Online Safety Rules
The adventures of Kara, Winston and the SMART crew link to the SMART online safety rules we use in school.
LGfL ParentSafe Portal
The LGfL (London Grid for Learning) have just launched their new ParentSafe portal. It supports parental engagement with Online Safety, which is vital to reinforce key safeguarding messages. Their portal offers parents and carers support and advice on safe settings, parental controls and monitoring, apps and games, talking to children about life online, screen-time and key topics from bullying to accessing inappropriate images or videos, extremism and gangs, fake news and more.
https://parentsafe.lgfl.net/
The NSPCC have partnered with Ambitious about Autism to bring online safety tips, advice and activities specifically for parents and carers of children with SEND.
Parent zone offer access to a digital parent magazine. This is an online safety guide which includes some handy tips on how to keep your family safe online and is updated regularly. You can sign up to receive regular email updates.
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Vodaphone digital parenting also offers advice and a guidance for parents and carers on online safety. They have the digital family pledge that you can complete as a family to help you stay safer online.
At the Internet Matters website parents are given e-safety guides, latest articles and expert advice to help them through the maze of internet safety. The team at Internet Matters.org have developed an app for tablets designed to help parents talk about e-safety issues with their children, and to ensure that they make smart choices to stay safe online.
The app is aimed at children aged between 8-10. It is a split-screen collaborative app which helps them think about what they would do if they were faced with different situations online; from cyberbullying to sharing content with someone they don’t know.
There are also quizzes and games which encourage parents and children to collaborate and talk about 9 different e-safety subjects.
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
Explore one of the six age related Thinkuknow websites for advice about staying safe when your children are on a phone, tablet or computer.
Childnet have produced a number of resources for parents to share with children, exploring online safety.
Childnet have also produced some helpful information about 
WhatsApp which can be accessed here.
Latest Online Safety Advice
Please see below links to the major games console providers safety information for parents;
Parental Control Guides
Social Media Guides for Parents
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