Here at Ralph Sadleir, we take e-Safety very seriously. The internet is something most of us use regularly and is a very useful tool for children to help with their studies and keeping in touch with friends. The challenge for both parents and teachers is knowing how to educate and keep children safe when using the internet.
As part of the ICT curriculum, e-Safety is taught to all year groups during the academic year, and Year 7 are involved in a more in-depth project.
The ICT Department at Ralph Sadleir have developed and put into place an e-Safety ICT Policy for both Staff and Students. The policy covers all aspects of e-Safety with areas relating particularly to each group. It requests that each group read and sign to ensure their understanding and agreement.
We have all experienced telling a child not to do something and getting the “why not” response. Here are some SMART TIPS that have been specially written for 8-14 year olds that you may find helpful when explaining potential dangers to your child:
- SAFE – Staying safe involves being careful and not giving out your name, address, mobile phone no., school name or password to people online.
- MEETING someone you have contacted in cyberspace can be dangerous. Only do so with your parent’s/carer’s permission, and then when they can be present.
- ACCEPTING e-mails or opening files from people you don’t really know or trust can get you into trouble – they may contain viruses or nasty messages.
- RELIABLE – Someone online maybe lying about who they are, and information you find on the Internet may not be reliable.
- TELL your parent or carer if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.
- Here are some useful points of advise that we should all make ourselves familiar with:
- Keep the computer in a communal area of the house. It is not advisable for children to have computers or web cams in their bedroom. Keep the computer where you can monitor what your child is doing.
- Keep all passwords private.
- Communication is key to staying safe online. Encourage your child to talk to you about anything they have seen online that has made them feel upset, threatened or uncomfortable.
- Never give out personal information online.
- Keep virus software up to date.
e-Safety includes the use of mobile phones. More and more children own a mobile phone these days and technology is evolving to include internet facilities on mobiles. We would like to advise that you stress to your child/children not to give out their mobile numbers to strangers or people they do not trust, and to be mindful of text messages that they send or receive.
We have provided a link below that will take you to the Hertfordshire Grid website and a selection of websites that provide advice, guidance and support. We hope you will find them useful.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
- Click here to go to the BBC’s Webwise page with useful information about e-Safety.
- Click here to have a look at Vodafone’s Digital Parenting magazine.
- Click here to have a look at Vodafone’s Parents’ Guide website.
- Click here to have a look at the e-mag which goes to all extended schools and children’s centres in Hertfordshire (as well as other partner organisation subscribers) containing an article about the work Ralph Sadleir School did recently around e-safety.
- Click here to go to a website called Internet Matters, which gives information about safety.
- Click here to go to Childnet website.
- Click here to go to TigerMobile website, which gives information about safer smartphone use.
