Online Safety Guidance

Guidance for Parents and Carers

Many social networking sites offer incredible communication and social connections, however nearly all social media services require users to be at least 13 years of age to access and use their services. This includes Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Whilst there is no age restriction for watching videos on YouTube, users need to be 13 or older to have their own YouTube account (enabling them to subscribe to other channels, such as videos, post comments, share their own content and flag inappropriate content).

If, as a parent/carers, you do allow your child to access social media sites, we would ask you to be vigilant and monitor what children are posting online. Just like their social interactions in person, online interactions require supervision and support. Some strategies that are known to be successful include:

• Monitoring your child's phone for the apps that are downloaded.
• Enacting parental controls on phones and games consoles.
• Checking their profile is set to private and that only friends can see information that is posted.
• Reviewing the messages they send on platforms and apps - making this part of a daily or weekly routine.
• Setting expectations about what space (preferably communal) and times they have access to devices.
• Encouraging them to share or discuss with you what they are doing..

School Support

We take online safety very seriously and discuss this with the children throughout the year in computing, PSHE lessons and in 1:1 conversations and teaching opportunities as they arise. There are also some excellent websites below that we would encourage you to look at.

Social Networks for Children Under 13

You are probably aware that there is very little choice of social networking sites for younger children, but there are a few apps out there! Internet Matters have put together a list of child-friendly social media apps designed to help children learn how to interact with each other and share safely online.  Please click on the link below to access their web page.

Useful Website Links: