At EVPS, we recognise that pupils are growing up in an increasingly complex world, living their lives on and offline. The online world provides many exciting opportunities; however, it can also present risks and challenges. All staff understand that they have a duty to ensure that all children are protected from potential harm online and that pupils are responsible in their own approaches to online safety.

We believe that:

All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, have the right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.

What are some of the risks to online safety for children?

There are a range of potential harms that come with using the internet. Categories include:

• Content
  Being exposed to illegal, inappropriate, or harmful content. For example: pornography, fake news, racism, misogyny, self-harm, suicide, anti-Semitism, radicalisation, and extremism.
• Contact
  Being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users. For example: peer to peer pressure, commercial advertising, and adults posing as children or young adults with the intention to groom or exploit them.
• Conduct
  Online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm. For example, making, sending and receiving explicit images, sharing other explicit images and bullying.
• Commerce
  Risks such as online gambling, inappropriate advertising, phishing and financial scams.

How are children taught about online safety in school?

As part of Computing and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) sessions, pupils are taught about online safety in an age-appropriate way. This is re-inforced by assemblies and class discussions which include being taught:

• what positive, healthy and respectful online relationships look like
• the effects of their online actions on others
• how to recognise and display respectful behaviour online
• how to use technology safely, responsibly, respectfully and securely
• where to go for help and support when they have concerns
• that people sometimes behave differently online, including by pretending to be someone they are not
• that the same principles apply to online relationships as to face-to-face relationships, including the importance of respect for others
• the rules and principles for keeping safe online: how to recognise risks, harmful content and contact, and how to report them
• how to critically consider their online friendships and sources of information
• how information and data is shared and used online

Here is a reminder of the age restrictions on some of the more popular games and websites, often a surprise to parents!

Facebook 13+, Instagram 13+, Snapchat 13+, Tik-Tok 12+

Fortnite 12+, MineCraft 7+

Below are some links to useful e-safety information for parents.

NSPCC -Talking to your child about online safety             - Online Games             - Livestreaming and online video apps             - General online safety             - Net Aware EVPS - NSPCC Helpline page
South West Grid for Learning - Top 10 Internet Safety Tips
Get Safe Online - Safeguarding Children                         - General E-Safety advice, not just for children!
Cyber Aware - The UK government's advice on how to stay secure online during coronavirus
THINKUKNOW - Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.
Common Sense Media - An article on 'Why the Best Parental Control Is You'   The UK government's safeguarding in Schools and Colleges advice page
Parent Zone - resources for families, to help them meet the challenges of the digital age. Parent Info - help and advice for families in a digital world
Internet Matters - Helping parents keep their children safe online                           - Help children 0-5 (pre-schoolers) get the best out of the internet and build a good                             understanding of how to stay safe with practical advice and expert tips.                           - A PARENT’S GUIDE TO: Discovering digital at primary school
UK Safer Internet Centre - Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online
Childnet - A presentation and guide for parents covering many aspects of e-safety including cyber-bullying and social networking. There is also a children’s section.
Google Internet Legends - Contains resources on e-safety using five key words (Sharp, Alert, Secure, Kind and Brave) and there is a parents tab that allows you to download a pdf document with family activities that help teach e-safety at home.