At Throston Primary School we believe teaching your children how to use the Internet safely is just as important as teaching them how to cross the road using the 'Green Cross Code'. So when your youngsters are online, whether alone or with you by their side, it’s crucial to explain to them why they should stick to the 'Click Clever, Click Safe!' code. Launched in 2010 for Safer Internet Day, the code features three simple and memorable actions to remember. All the children at Throston Primary School are reminded of this code on a regular basis:

ZIP IT means keeping their personal stuff private and thinking about what they say or do online.

BLOCK IT reminds them to block people who send them nasty messages and not to open any links and attachments they receive by e-mail or through social networks if they’re not 100 per cent sure they’re safe.

FLAG IT is the final piece of advice. It stands for flagging up to a parent, guardian, teacher or someone in authority anything that upsets them while they are online or if someone asks them to meet up in the real world.

Following these three simple statements will not only keep your child safe, it will also help ensure your computer is safe from viruses, spam and malware that could steal your identity, money from your bank account or delete precious photos and videos stored on your hard drive.

Teach Your Children the Following:

1) Don’t post any personal information online – like your address, e-mail address or mobile number.

2) Think carefully before posting pictures or videos of yourself.  Once you’ve put  a picture of yourself online most people can see it and may be able to download it, it’s not just yours anymore.

3) Keep your privacy settings as high as possible.

4) Never give out your passwords.

5) Don’t befriend people you don’t know.

6) Don’t meet up with people you’ve met online.  Speak to your parent or carer about people suggesting you do.

7) Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.

8) Think carefully about what you say before you post something online.

9) Respect other people’s views, even if you don’t agree with someone else’s views doesn’t mean you need to be rude.

10) If you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried: leave the website, turn off your computer if you want to and tell a trusted adult immediately.

https://nationalonlinesafety.com/

Useful Links:

http://www.childnet.com/

http://www.internetmatters.org/

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

Parents and carers

Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to focus on online safety with your child, whatever their age. This year’s theme is all about change and influence online and we have created a range of pages to help you talk about these issues and ideas with your child, no matter how much time you have and in an age-appropriate way.

Safer Internet Day 2024 is celebrated on 6th February 2024, with thousands of people across the UK working together to champion youth voice and engage in conversations about how we can all work together to make the internet a great and safe place.

Help and advice for you as a parent or carer

Below we look to answer some of the key questions you may have this Safer Internet Day.

About Safer Internet Day 2024

Read more about the theme of the day.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024

Watch a video about what is happening: Safer Internet day 2024

Things change so fast online, it’s hard to keep up with what my child is doing

Staying up to date with what children are doing online can feel like a challenge sometimes. Here are a few simple steps you can take to help bridge the gap.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers/things-change-so-fast-online-its-hard-to-keep-up-with-what-my-child-is-doing-2

My child keeps asking to play a game, or download an app that I don’t know about, what can I do?

The easiest way to address this is to research the game or app before you download it, to see what it is and what it offers e.g., in-app purchases, or connection with others etc.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers/my-child-keeps-asking-to-play-a-game

My child is asking for a new device and I’m not sure they’re ready for one

It’s important to think carefully before getting any kind of device for your child. Not only can it be an expensive decision, it’s also necessary to consider the 5 ‘Ws’.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers/my-child-is-asking-for-a-new-device-and-im-not-sure-theyre-ready-for-one

I’m not sure if the content my child is watching is a good influence on them, what can I do?

Children begin to be influenced by the content they watch as soon as they’re old enough to go online.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers/im-not-sure-if-the-content-my-child-is-watching-is-a-good-influence-on-them-what-can-i-do

What does an influencer do and how can they affect children’s behaviour?

Influencers are people who use their internet presence, celebrity status, or relationship with their audience to affect the behaviour of their followers.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers/what-does-an-influencer-do-and-how-can-they-affect-childrens-behaviour

My child is keen to share content and make a change online. How can I help them achieve this safely?

Lots of young people are turning to the internet to talk about issues they’re passionate about, to help raise awareness, and promote social change.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers/my-child-is-keen-to-share-content-and-make-a-change-online-how-can-i-help-them-achieve-this-safely

How to make a report online

Information to help you, if you need to make a report on an app, game, or website.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers/how-to-make-a-report-online

Find out more about specific issues

If you want more information about specific online safety issues, there are a range of places that you can go.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2024/parents-and-carers/find-out-more-about-specific-issues

Top Tips for Parents and Carers

Have a look at the tips and links below with some suggestions on how to get you started and help you to stay safe and positive online. You and your family can #PlayYourPart in creating a better internet by…

Having conversations without judgement.

Whether by playing games, watching videos, or doing things your child enjoys, spending time together online is a great way to start conversations about the online world and how they’re finding being a part of it. 
It is important to ask questions and take an interest in what your child enjoys online.
An essential part of having this open dialogue is to not judge, even if their behaviour or life online isn’t what you wanted or expected. This ensures that your child feels they can come to you if ever they make a mistake or experience a problem online. 

Knowing where you can learn more about their favourite apps and games.

Websites like Common Sense Media or The Family Gaming Database can be invaluable sources of information. When your child starts talking about a new game or app, why not do some research into the reporting and blocking options available? Then you can help your child if they come to you with an issue.

Getting support if things go wrong.

There are lots of organisations who are there to support you and your family if something has gone wrong. The Report Harmful Content website can help you with issues such as cyberbullying, impersonation and threats. You can report worrying behaviour towards children to CEOP. Find out more on Childnet’s Get Help page.

Websites for more information

Please click on the icon to go to the relevant site

CEOP (The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) delivers a multi-agency service dedicated to tackling the abuse and exploitation of children in the real and ‘e’ world. Often it is referred to as an online 999. By clicking on the button, young people and parents can get advice on a range of issues such as viruses, hacking and dealing with bullying online.

Vodafone have produced a Digital Parenting Magazine which informs parents about the various technologies children are accessing today. There is information on Facebook settings, Xbox 360 settings, Blackberry settings, jargon busting and many more 'How to Guides'. They are well worth a read and some are attached below for you to download. 

The “Thinkuknow” website is brought to you by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) centre.

Kidsmart gives you lots of advice on how to stay safe online.

New e-Safety Portal for Parents and Schools – Internet Matters

Internet Matters is a new online portal designed for parents to access simple, easy and practical advice about online safety for their children, right through from pre-school to teens. It provides tips on protecting children from online grooming, cyberbullying, privacy and identity theft and inappropriate content. Internet Matters is a not-for profit organisation set up by BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media. 

ParentINFO is a collaboration between ParentZone and CEOP.  There are useful guides and articles on helping your child stay safe online.

Reassuring your child that whatever happens online, you are there to support them.

Let your child know that the best way to address any problem they have online, is to tell a trusted adult immediately. For example, this might include someone sending them a friend request; an online message; telling them to visit a specific website, or app; or asking them for their personal information. Reassure them that if anything happens online that they are unsure about, or makes them feel worried or upset, they can come to you for help.

Page Updated: 17/09/2023.