Internet Safety
The internet is widely used by children and young people every day and plays a big part in their lives.
At Orchard we recognise that the internet offers our children a great opportunity to learn, develop new skills, to keep in touch with friends and family and to have fun.
However, the internet can also pose a threat to children’s safety. It is therefore important for everyone to understand the dangers that may present themselves and to understand how to reduce or prevent them.
We need to work together to provide a safe, fun environment for children to develop and grow
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Support for Parents and Carers to Keep Children Safe Online
It is important to have regular conversations about staying safe online and to encourage children to speak to you if they come across something worrying online.
These resources provide guidance for parents and carers to keep children safe online. They will, amongst other things, support you to talk to your child about a range of online safety issues, set up home filtering in a child-friendly way and set up age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices:
- Thinkuknow by the National Crime Agency - Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (NCA-CEOP) provides resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online
- Childnethas developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online
- Parent Info is a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP, providing support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online
- UK Safer Internet Centreprovides tips and advice for parents and carers to keep children safe online - you can also report any harmful content found online through the UK Safer Internet Centre
Apps to help children stay safe online
The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most. It can be downloaded for free in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
SafeToNet is an app for parents to help them safeguard their children from online risks like cyberbullying and sexting, whilst respecting their child’s rights to privacy. The SafeToNet Foundation is providing UK families with free access to 1 million licences during coronavirus.
Please find information below on a variety of apps and topics that we think you might find useful to keep our children safe on the internet.
TikTok - Parent Guide Family Pairing
Inappropriate websites - factsheet
Internet Controls - A Parents Guide
Online Bullying/Cyber Bullying
Social Media and Mental Health
Version 5 of Parents and Carers Check List
Click below for some age appropriate app suggestions
Below are a number of sites you may find useful which have further information on how to keep your child safe online .
Useful information for parents (Think U Know)
CEOP (The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre)
Broadband parental controls and internet safety for children
A message for Parents/Carers about Fortnite
Please find below up to date advice from National Online Safety - Some of this content is aimed at adults/carers or others who are looking for guidance on keeping children safe on line.