Digital Safety and Useful Websites for Parents

Technology has become a large part of today’s society, and it is challenging to know how to navigate technology and the online way is a safe and healthy manner.

The Internet and other digital and information technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for everyone. Electronic communication helps teachers and pupils learn from each other. These technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and increase awareness of context to promote effective learning. Children and young people should have an entitlement to safe internet access, whilst parents feel confident and secure that their child is safe.

The use of these exciting and innovative tools in school and at home has been shown to raise educational standards and promote pupil achievement. However, the use of these new technologies can put people at risk. Some of the dangers they may face include:

• Access to illegal, harmful or inappropriate images or other content.
• Unauthorised access to / loss of / sharing of personal information.
• The risk of being subject to grooming by those with whom they make contact on the internet.
• The sharing / distribution of personal images without an individual’s consent or knowledge.
• Inappropriate communication / contact with others, including strangers.
• The variety of scams that happen online.
• Cyber-bullying.
• Access to unsuitable video / internet games.
• An inability to evaluate the quality, accuracy and relevance of information on the internet.
• Plagiarism and copyright infringement.
• Illegal downloading of music or video files.
• The potential for excessive use which may impact on the social and emotional development and learning of the young person.

Within Brickhill Primary School, we have an online safety policy designed to safeguard our staff and children whilst at school, which does limit usage. However, it would be impractical to follow this outside of school, which is why we have collated the following information to support parents with safeguarding children at home.

Digital Safety and Well-being at Brickhill Primary

It can feel like a minefield to navigate technology in a safe manner and feel confident in making the correct choices. To make it easier to understand how to become and feel safe online, we follow the five strands of Media Literacy from the Government’s Online Media Literacy Strategy. These are taught throughout our Computing Curriculum:

1. Content. All the information and media we see, hear or create ourselves.
2. Data. The personal information which we share or leave behind when online.
3. Environment. Understanding the online spaces and platforms we use – the positive and the more risky.
4. Consequences. The possible impact of our online behaviours, including in offline life.
5. Positivity. Making interactions and online environments safer and more fulfilling.

You will be able to find more information and guidance about how you can apply these at home from ParentZone below. You can also use the following widget to search for specific guides.

Guidance for Digital Safety and Well-Being at Home

The following information, is suggested guidance that you may find useful to develop healthy digital habits at home. We shall continue to update you weekly on ClassDojo for current trends and forthcoming events.

Screen time

In 2024, The Education Committee published a report following a study on screen time. It was found that there has been an increase in screen time amongst children and young children, as well as a rise in habits linked to behavioural addiction. This follows a lot of research being conducted worldwide surrounding what the impacts of screen time and artificial blue light have upon children and young people. The current research suggests that there is no “perfect” amount of screen time, however it is about the quality of the screen time over the quantity. Children should be encouraged to use screen time as an opportunity to learn, socialise with family and friends (in a safe manner), research the world, play games (both educational and fun) and complete homework. Rather than endlessly watching videos or scrolling social media or similar apps as a “time filling” activity. Screen time should not get in the way of hobbies, interests, exercise, sleep or getting fresh air. More information can be found on the UK Safer Internet Centre webpage.

Misinformation and Disinformation

False information shared online, commonly known as “fake news” can be differentiated as misinformation (false information shared by accident as you believe it to be true) and disinformation (false information shared deliberately to mislead and cause harm). The best way to protect yourself from these are to spot the signs:

• Can you find this information elsewhere? Is it being reported in the same way from reputable sources?
• How does the story make you feel? Is it trying to manipulate your emotions to make you engage?
• Who has published this? Are they trustworthy? Are the named experts real? Is the web address suspicious e.g. a government source without .gov at the end?
• Are the images real? If you use a reverse image search, what information can you find about the image?
• Who has shared this? Just because a friend or celebrity has shared it, does not make it true.

For more information around fake news,

Social Media Algorithms

Algorithms within social media and other online platforms appear regularly in the news discussing the risks and fears around our online data, forcing people to ask “Are they spying on us?” or “Are they listening to my conversations?” prompted after seeing targetted advertisements, videos, accounts or news stories on our feeds. For a start you can always check the permisions that Apps have to put your mind at ease if you are worried about spying, to do this follow these support pages for Android or Apple. Then we need to understand how these algorithms work to create personalised feeds.

Each social media network uses its own algorithm for various purposes. For example, Facebook (Meta) tend to use it for advertising and suggesting accounts and pages for you to follow. Whereas, TikTok tend to use it to suggest new accounts to follow or videos similar to those you enjoy. Generally, it’s shaped by some of the following data points:

• Who you follow
• Who you share content with
• The posts and videos you engage with
• How much time you spend watching certain videos
• How much time you linger on specific content when scrolling
• The popularity of a post or video.

Sometimes, apps will have a long list of permissions they get you to agree to, that may use data from your phone such as what other apps do you have installed, which apps are accessed the most and how you are using their own app. So it is always worth checking everything before insalling that “free” game filled with advertisments and micro-transactions.

These algorithms can be positive as they create a tailored feed, giving you more of what you enjoy which of course keeps you using the software for longer. However, they can pose a risk of creating an echo chamber of hearing the same information from different sources that could be false, or lead to extremism. These algorithms could also lead you to seeing content that is distressing, which could be as simple as being suggested a video from an account similar to one you follow.

The best ways to safeguard your child is by:

• Using parental controls on devices: Android or Apple.
• Researching apps and games before downloading them. Common Sense Media have several guides for parents.
• Checking and following age restrictions.
• Having open and honest conversations with your child about what apps and software they are using and accessing.
• Monitoring your child’s usage.

More information can be found on Childnet.

Cyberbullying

Bullying is not a new thing to human nature, however with the rise of technology it is increasingly prevalent online than offline. The intention of causing harm, distress and intimating others is still there and often with the faceless nature of technology the perpetrator can feel less guilt or even protected from the consequences of their actions. This can lead to cyberbullying becoming far worse than offline bullying.

There are seven typical ways a victim may be bullied online:

• Harassment– repeatedly sending offensive, rude, and insulting messages.
• Denigration – sharing information about another person that is fake, damaging and untrue with the purpose to ridicule them.
• Flaming– purposely using extreme and offensive language to cause reactions of distress in the victim.
• Impersonation– hacking into someone’s email or social networking account to use their online identity to post vicious or embarrassing material.
• Outing and Trickery– sharing personal information about another or tricking them into revealing secrets and forwarding it to others.
• Cyber Stalking – repeatedly sending messages that include threats of harm, harassment or intimidating messages. This may be illegal.
• Exclusion – intentionally leaving someone out of group messages, online apps, gaming sites and other online engagement.

The most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:

• Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok
• Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices
• Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet
• Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit
  Email
• Online gaming communities

Bullying is of course never tolerated, and can have long lasting negative impacts on the victims. In order to reduce the risks of your child becoming a victim of cyberbullying, there are some things you can do:

• Limit access to technology – using parental controls, only installing trusted apps and games, considering screen time rules.
• Monitoring the apps and games that your children are using and any conversations they are having online.
• Know which apps and games your child is using.
• Becoming part of their online world through encouraging open and honest conversations about what and how they using their devices.

If your child is being cyberbullied, you can help them by:

• Speaking to staff at school for support.
• Offer comfort to your child and become a listening ear for them to be open and honest.
• Let them know it is not their fault and praise them for telling you.
• Encourage your child to not respond to cyberbullying.
• Block the bully.
• Keep screenshots and records of the messages, as these can be used as evidence.
• Get support either through the NSPCC, the police via CEOP (Where you can make reports), the school, or The National Bullying Helpline.

Websites to support Learning

Creative computer programming

Learn languages for free. Web or app.

Free science lessons

Wide range of cool educational videos

You Tube videos on many subjects

As above for a younger audience

Science awards you can complete from home.

Digital enterprise award scheme you can complete online.

Free challenge packs and other downloads. Many activities can be completed indoors. Badges cost but are optional.

All kinds of making.

Is in U.S. grades, but good for UK Primary age.

Listening activities for the younger ones.

A lot of these can be done in a garden, or if you can get to a remote forest location!

Resources for English language learning

Lots of free resources for Primary age

Aimed at Secondary age. Multi disciplinary activities.

If you have a stamp and a nearby post box.

Good, free art activities

Creative art and craft activities for the very youngest.

Educational online games

Activities and quizzes

Useful Links and Resources

Below you will find a range of helpful links and resources.

CEOP – Is the police website for online safety. You can find resources and information about keeping safe online, and even report crimes such as cyberbullying.

ParentZone – A website full of tips for parents and carers around being safe online.

Common Sense Media – A tool for finding information about Apps, Games, Films and TV Shows.

UK Safer Internet Centre – The organisation who lead Safer Internet Day, and has a wealth of resources, information and guides around being safe at home.

NSPCC – Has resources for parents to understand how to protect their children online, as well as having information that you can share with your children.

Internet Matters – An online safety organisation that has links with several big names in technology, in order to create a range of guides and resources for different technology, games, apps and online usage.

The UK Government – Created a webpage all around online safety with various links for more information.

Please find below some forms which you may find of use during the course of the school year. If you require hard copies of these forms please contact the school office who will be happy to provide you with a copy.