The internet is such an integral part of children’s lives. It opens up so many educational and social opportunities, giving them access to, quite literally, a world of information and experiences.

Whether on a computer at school, a laptop at home, a games console or other devices, children and young people are increasingly accessing the internet whenever they can and wherever they are. At St Andrews Church School, we teach our children to be responsible users of the internet.

As you would protect your child in the real world, you will want to make sure that they are safe whatever they are doing. Like learning to cross the road, online safety skills are skills for life. If your child understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online, they can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so – particularly from those people who might not be making safe internet choices. 

Please have a look at the information below to support you and us when guiding your children to use the internet safely. 

How to keep your child safe online: 

During our online safety talks a number of children have spoken openly about some of the games or apps that they use at home that may not be age appropriate for them. Please take some time to look at our E-safety page and the websites where you’ll find further advice.

You will find information about the age guidance for some apps with rationale behind their decisions. I have provided some screen shots of some of the apps the children mentioned, please scroll down for more information. 

Safer Internet Day:

The children explored the idea of 'What to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online'. 

We focused on:

• Internet safety and harms: that the internet has many benefits, but can be a negative place where online abuse, trolling, bullying and harassment can take place.

• Mental wellbeing: knowing when, where and how to seek support and help.

• The rules for keeping safe online: how to recognise risks, harmful content and contact, and how to report them to stay safe.

• Understand that people sometimes behave differently online (including on social media) and may pretend to be someone they are not.

• That the same principles apply to online relationships as to face-to-face ones.

• How to recognise and display respectful behaviour online and recognise similarities and differences between people's values and attitudes.

• How information and data is shared and used online. The importance of keeping personal information private.

• To critically consider online sources of information.

Here are some of the Year 3 children's Safer Internet Posters.