digital safety

Technology and digital access is an ever increasing part of our world, integral to our learning, entertainment and socialising.

As a school, we recognise the importance of safeguarding children from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material, and we understand that technology is a significant component in many safeguarding and wellbeing issues.

We have brought together here useful resources and information to help pupils and their parents navigate the digital world safely.

Please note, most of the links on this page will take you to public websites and we have no control over the content displayed.

Digital Safety at Sterf

Our Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures (available on our Policies page) contains a section devoted to Digital Safety.

As outlined in the policy, our aims as a school are:

Have robust processes in place to ensure the online safety of pupils, staff, volunteers and governors;
Protect and educate the whole school community in its safe and responsible use of technology, including mobile and smart technology (which we refer to as ‘mobile phones’);
Set clear guidelines for the use of mobile phones for the whole school community;
Establish clear mechanisms to identify, intervene in and escalate any incidents or concerns, where appropriate.

Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day supports young people across the world to explore how they can use the internet safely and responsibly whilst making the most of their relationships online.

See below for documents from the 2022 Safer Internet Day.

Digital Safety Advice from Technology Organisations

A number of mobile phone and other technology companies have produced information for parents and children on using technology and the internet safely. These can be found on the companies' websites.

Many of the major companies have also partnered with InternetMatters.org which provides a range of information about online safety.

National Crime Agency - Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre

NCA-CEOP works to protect children from harm online and offline, directly through NCA led operations and in partnership with local and international agencies.

Website: http://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/ceop

NSPCC: Keeping Children Safe Online

The NSPCC have drawn together lots of advice for parents, including Being Share Aware, Minecraft Safety Advice and how to stay safe using apps.

The information can be found here: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

Parents can also contact the free NSPCC Online Safety Helpline with questions about parental controls or concerns about a social network their children are using on 0808 8005000 or help@nspcc.org.uk.

Other Useful Websites

Please note, these links will take you to public websites and we have no control over the content displayed.

UK Safer Internet Centre https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/
Think you know http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Childnet International http://www.childnet.com/young-people
Get Safe Online http://www.getsafeonline.org/
Report Online Abuse or Illegal Content http://www.iwf.org.uk
BBC Bitesize E Safety https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zrtrd2p/revision/1
12 Ways to Make YouTube Safer https://www.teachthought.com/technology/12-ways-to-make-youtube-safer-for-children

Who to Talk To

For Young People:

Children can talk in confidence to Childline (the number will not be listed on the telephone bill)

Tel: 0800 1111 – will not be listed on the telephone bill

For Adults:

Samaritans provide confidential emotional support for people, if you are worried, feel upset or confused and just want to talk. You can:

Tel: 116 123
Email: Jo@samaritans.org