Online Safety at Botley School
Increased online activity, while offering many benefits, also presents potential risks for children. It's crucial to be aware of these risks and take proactive steps to ensure your child's online safety. Increased screen time can heighten the risk of:
- Online bullying
- Abuse and grooming
- Exposure to inappropriate content
- Insufficient sleep or exercise
10 Steps to Protect Your Family and Child Online:
- Parental Controls: Set parental controls on all devices and review privacy settings.
- Schoolwork First: Ensure your child focuses on schoolwork during designated times.
- Open Communication: Talk to your child regularly about online safety. Utilise resources from Internet Matters, Purple Mash, and CEOP to facilitate these conversations.
- Agree on Screen Time Limits: Establish clear rules about screen time and stick to them.
- Encourage Offline Activities: Promote daily activities that don't involve screens.
- Supervise Online Streaming: Do not allow your child to access online streaming apps unsupervised, especially in their bedroom.
- Shared Online Experience: When your child is online, try to be in the same room with them.
- Regular Device Checks: Periodically check their mobile devices.
- Reinforce Safety Rules: Remind them of safety rules (like the SMART rules) and who they can talk to if they're worried.
- Explore Resources Together: Look at the pupils' e-safety links on the school website together.
Safeguarding Concerns:
If you have any safeguarding concerns about any child, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Leads, Mrs. Reid and Mrs. Yasin, via email:
Please mark your email "Urgent Safeguarding Request," and we will contact you as soon as possible.
For confidentiality, please do not include details of your concern in the email.
Useful Websites and Resources: