Online Safety

CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre)

  • Never give out personal details to online ‘friends’. Use a nickname when logging on and don’t share full name, email address, mobile number or school name.
  • Never give out any photos, including photos of family or friends – any picture or video online can be changed or shared without permission.
  • If something pops up on the screen that your child does not understand or does not like, or if your child receives a message that upsets them, remind them to tell you or a trusted adult straight away. They should save the message and not reply to it.
  • Never reply to spam and junk emails and texts or send them to anyone else – just delete them.
  • Don’t open files sent from people you don’t know. They could contain a virus, or worse – an inappropriate image or film.
  • An online ‘friend’ is anyone you have not met in real life; no matter how long you have been friends with them. Just like in real life, avoid talking to strangers online and only accept friend requests from people you know.
  • Help your child to understand that some people lie online and that it’s better to keep online ‘mates’ online. They should never meet up with any online ’friends’ without an adult they trust.
  • Make sure they know how to block someone online and report them if they feel uncomfortable.
  • Make sure your child feels able to talk to you. Let them know that it’s never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable. Don’t blame your child – let them know you trust them.

Internet Matters

Internet Matters is a website that has lots of helpful advice, tips and hints on how to keep children safe   online. Their resource guides include support for cyberbully, limiting screen time and online management   to name just a few.

You can find them by following this link https://www.internetmatters.org/