The internet offers huge opportunities to our young people; it can help enhance their education, help develop skills, offer career opportunities and more. However, it does not come without it’s risks. At Rainford High School were are committed to offer support and education to our pupils around staying safe online. We do this through our Personal Development curriculum, in both PSHEs and assemblies that focus on aspects of online safety. We also support this through our CEIAG work, teaching students the benefits of new and ever-changing technologies in the world of work.
We take an age-appropriate approach, and through the development of online safety throughout our curriculum areas, supported by our new Online Safety Staff and Student Working Party, we aim to support our students in the fast-paced, changing world of technology and social media.
In the section below, see resources and website to support you in helping your child stay safe online.
Think U Know: CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk)
Think U Know has a wealth of resources for parents and carers, as well as age appropriate information and support for all children and young people from ages 4 to 18 years old.
Connect Safely: Homepage – ConnectSafely
Connect Safely is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping users with safety, privacy and security when using technology. They have helpful guides, advice and resources for parents and carers to access.
CEOP: CEOP Safety Centre
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) works to identify threats to young peoples safety online. They have a helpful reporting mechanism for online sexual abuse.
NSPCC: Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
The charity have a bank of resources and advice surrounding keeping children safe online. Particularly, they have resources for supporting students with SEND.
Mind: Home – Mind
Mind have mental health support for young people, and specific resources for supporting young people whose mental health has been adversely affected by technology and social media.
Safer Internet Centre UK: https://saferinternet.org.uk/
This website has resources for keeping children and young people safe online on multi-media platforms, including phones, laptops, smart speakers, games consoles, tablets and more.
Breck Foundation: Online Safety | Breck Foundation
This charity, in dedication to Breck Bednar who was murdered by someone he met online, seeks to educate and support those to avoid online grooming.
Below are factsheets about different types of social media to support you in conversations with your children.
Other links to be aware of:
Government guidance for teaching online safety in schools: Teaching online safety in schools – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)