Online Safety
At Whetstone Field Primary School, keeping children safe online is an important part of our wider safeguarding responsibilities.
Technology provides children with valuable opportunities to learn, communicate and be creative. However, we also recognise that children may encounter risks when using the internet, online games, apps, social media, messaging services and other digital technology.
Our approach to online safety aims to protect, educate and empower children, while ensuring that staff are able to identify, respond to and escalate concerns appropriately.
Our approach to online safety
Online safety is embedded throughout our safeguarding practice and curriculum rather than being taught as a one-off topic.
Children are taught, in an age-appropriate way, how to:
- use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully;
- recognise inappropriate, misleading or harmful content;
- protect personal information and privacy;
- recognise when online contact or communication may be unsafe;
- understand appropriate behaviour when communicating with others online;
- recognise online bullying and know how to seek help;
- understand that images, information and messages shared online can be copied or redistributed;
- think critically about information they see online, including misinformation and AI-generated content; and
- know who they can speak to if something online makes them worried, uncomfortable or upset.
Online safety is addressed through Computing, Relationships and Health Education and PSHE, as well as through wider safeguarding teaching and discussions across the school.
Understanding online risks
We recognise the four broad areas of online risk identified within Keeping Children Safe in Education:
Content – being exposed to inappropriate, harmful or misleading material.
Contact – harmful or inappropriate interaction with other people or online services.
Conduct – behaviour online that may cause harm to the child or to others, including online bullying and inappropriate sharing.
Commerce – risks associated with areas such as advertising, scams, phishing, online purchases and gambling-related content.
Teaching is adapted to the age, understanding and needs of our children.
Filtering and monitoring
Whetstone Field Primary School uses appropriate filtering and monitoring systems to help protect children when using school networks and school-managed technology.
Filtering helps prevent access to illegal, inappropriate and potentially harmful online content. Monitoring helps the school identify activity that may indicate a safeguarding concern.
Filtering and monitoring are not substitutes for effective supervision or online-safety education. Staff remain responsible for supervising children appropriately when technology is being used and for reporting safeguarding concerns in accordance with the school's safeguarding procedures.
The school's filtering and monitoring arrangements are reviewed at least annually and appropriate checks are undertaken to ensure that the systems continue to operate effectively. The review takes account of the age and needs of our children, emerging online risks, the technology used within school and any safeguarding concerns or incidents.
The school's Designated Safeguarding Lead, senior leaders, IT support and the responsible governor have roles in providing oversight and assurance in relation to filtering and monitoring.
Artificial intelligence and emerging technology
Technology continues to develop rapidly. This includes the increasing use of generative artificial intelligence.
Children are taught at an appropriate level that AI-generated information, images and other content may not always be accurate or genuine. The school considers safeguarding, privacy, data protection and age-appropriateness when new technologies are introduced.
Our filtering and monitoring arrangements and online-safety curriculum are reviewed in response to emerging technology and changing risks.
Reporting an online-safety concern
Children are regularly reminded that they should tell a trusted adult if they see or experience something online that worries, frightens or upsets them.
Online-safety incidents involving children in school are treated as safeguarding matters where appropriate and are recorded, investigated and acted upon in accordance with our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy.
Parents and carers who have concerns about their child's online safety are encouraged to contact the school.
Working with parents and carers
Keeping children safe online is most effective when school and families work together.
We encourage parents and carers to talk regularly with their children about what they do online, the games and services they use, who they communicate with and what they should do if they encounter something that makes them uncomfortable.
Parents should also consider age restrictions, privacy settings and parental controls on devices, apps, games and online services used at home.
Further advice and support
Parents and carers can find reliable online-safety information and support through:
NSPCC – Online Safety
Advice for parents about keeping children safe online.
UK Safer Internet Centre
Guidance about online safety, parental controls, social media and reporting concerns.
CEOP Education
Advice and resources for children and parents about online relationships and online sexual abuse and exploitation.
Internet Matters
Practical guidance for families covering devices, gaming, apps, parental controls and age-specific online risks.
Childline
Confidential information, advice and support for children and young people.