The Internet is an amazing place! It opens our minds and our opportunities in so many ways- but we all have to be smart when we use it  because it can also be a tricky place to be if you don't know how to keep yourself safe.

You will know from all of the Computing Lessons and Assemblies that we want to make sure that all of our pupils can stay safe online.

We want to give you the knowledge to safeguard yourself and your personal information so that we  empower you with a vital life skill.

What is E-Safety?

E-safety is the safe use of information systems and electronic communications, including the internet, mobile phones and games consoles. It is important that you understand the benefits, risks and responsibilities of using information technology.

• e-safety keeps you safethe digital world.
• e-safety helps you to learn so that you understand and use new technologies in a positive way.
• e-safety is not about stopping you, but more about education about the risks as well as the benefits so you can feel confident online.
• e-safety helps support you to develop safer online behaviours both in and out of school.

E-safety forms part of our computing curriculum we try to remind you a lot about how to stay safe online! 

Using the Internet safely at home

Your parents have probably put a filter on your internet atr home, and they also probably supervise your internet use.

This is the right thing to do  and helps to keep you safe, because there can be some unsafe or inappropriate things out there on the internet that could get through the filters.  The internet has a lot of great content and a lot of safe users, but there are also some people who use the internet who could be tricky or unsafe.

Your parents will probably ask you to use the internet :

-in a shared space so they can directly supervise you

-only during certain hours ( you shouldn't be on it for more than a couple of hours a day)

- following  some simple rules for keeping you safe and making sure you  understand the importance of these rules.

- by understanding that they will probably check your history regularly.

Simple, suggested rules for keeping you  safe

• ask your parents  permission before they use the Internet
• only use websites you have chosen together or a child friendly search engine
• only email people you  know (perhaps an address book would be useful)
• ask permission before opening an email sent by someone they don’t know
• do not use Internet chat rooms
• do not use your real name when using games on the Internet (perhaps create a suitable nick name)
• never give out a home address or personal contact details
• never tell someone where you go to school
• never send an image of yourself, their home or school
• never arrange to meet someone you  have ‘met’ on the Internet
• only use a webcam with people you know
• tell your parents  immediately if you  see anything you are unhappy with