The use of technology is a now a major part of a young person’s education and social life. It is therefore essential that young people are taught how to use the internet safely and responsibly. Our school curriculum covers online safety in: PSHE, Computing and through year group assemblies.

Up to date information for parents and students can be found on the following websites:

Parents and Carers | Safer Internet Centre

Online Safety for Children – Tips & Guides | NSPCC

Parents homepage (thinkuknow.co.uk)

Parent Info | From NCA-CEOP and The Parent Zone

Net Aware: Your guide to social networks, apps and games (net-aware.org.uk)

National Online Safety | Keeping Children Safe Online in Education

National Online Safety Mobile App

All students are asked to sign The Holt School Acceptable Use Agreement

Parents are advised to follow the top tips for supporting their daughter to be safe on the internet:

• Be involved in your child’s online life. For many of today’s young people, there is no line between the online and offline worlds. Young people use the internet to socialise and grow and, just as you guide and support them offline, you should be there for them online too. Talk to them about what they are doing, if they know you understand they are more likely to approach you if they need support. 

• Talk to your child about the dangers of fake news and the importance of evaluating what they see online, it is important that they don’t automatically assume that what they see is true, valid or acceptable.

• Learn about ‘social media influencers’ and have discussions with your child about the potential harm of comparisons to “unrealistic” online images. 

• Watch ‘Thinkuknow’ films to learn more. The ‘Thinkuknow’ programme has films and advice for children from five all the way to 16. Your child may have seen these at school, but they can also be a good tool for you to find out more about what young people do online and some of the potential risks. 

• Keep up-to-date with your child’s development online. Be inquisitive and interested in the new gadgets and sites that your child is using. It is important that as your child learns more, so do you.  

• Set boundaries in the online world just as you would in the real world. Think about what they might see, what they share, whom they talk to and how long they spend online. It is important to continue to discuss boundaries so that they evolve as your child’s use of technology does. 

• Know what connects to the internet and how. Nowadays even the TV connects to the internet. Your child will use all sorts of devices and gadgets; make sure you’re aware of which ones can connect to the internet, such as their phone or games console. Also, find out how they are accessing the internet – is it your connection or a neighbour’s Wifi? This will affect whether your safety settings are being applied. 

• Consider the use of parental controls on devices that link to the internet, such as the TV, laptops, computers, games consoles and mobile phones. Parental controls are not just about locking and blocking, they are a tool to help you set appropriate boundaries as your child grows and develops. They are not the answer to your child’s online safety, but they are a good start and are not as difficult to install as you might think. Service providers are working hard to make them simple, effective and user friendly. 

• Emphasis that not everyone is who they say they are. Make sure your child knows never to meet up with someone they only know online. People might not always be who they say they are. Make sure your child understands that they should never meet up with anyone they only know online without taking a trusted adult with them. 

• Know what to do if something goes wrong. Just as in the offline world, you want to help your child when they need it. Therefore, it is important to know when and how to report any problem.