Online Safety

At Oldfield Brow Primary, we take online safety very seriously. Our PSHCE and Computing curriculum includes educating our learners on how to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

We understand the importance of monitoring and filtering online content to ensure that our learners are protected from harmful material. However, we also focus on ensuring that our learners have the skills and knowledge to access the online world safely, review content with an understanding of its source and reliability and how to protect themselves and others from harm online.

It is our aim to develop 'digitally resilient' learners as means of ensuring that they have the skills, knowledge and attitude to "thrive in a changing world" (School Vision, 2023)

"Digital resilience involves having the ability to understand when you are at risk online, knowing what to do if anything goes wrong, learning from your experiences of being online, and being able to recover from any difficulties or upsets. [This links cleary with our school's value of 'reflection']. Children who are digitally resilient will be equipped to handle the challenges of the modern, digital world" (Parent Zone)

As parents and carers, it is crucial that you are aware of the risks that come with online activities. We encourage you to have open conversations with your children about online safety and to monitor their online behavior regularly. Below, we have included a guide from the National Collage that provides a 'blue print' for parents/carers to have open conversations with their children about a range of issues, including online safety.

By working together, we can create a safe and secure online environment for our children. Thank you for partnering with us in ensuring the online safety of our students at Oldfield Brow Primary.

Cyberbullying Prevention Tips

As parents and carers, it is important to be aware of the risks associated with cyberbullying and take steps to prevent it. One key tip is to monitor your child's online activity regularly and have open conversations with them about the importance of being respectful and kind online.

Encouraging your child to only connect with people they know in real life and to report any instances of cyberbullying to a trusted adult or authority figure can also help prevent this harmful behavior.

Additionally, setting clear rules and boundaries around screen time and online interactions can create a safe and positive online environment for your child. By staying informed and involved in your child's digital life, you can help protect them from the negative effects of cyberbullying.

Parental Controls

In today's digital age, where children have access to various devices, it is important to implement parental controls to protect them from potential online dangers.

By setting restrictions and monitoring your child's online activities, you can help create a safe and secure environment for them to explore the digital world.

We encourage all parents and carers of primary-age children to take advantage of parental control features available on devices. By working together, we can ensure that our children have a positive and enriching online experience while staying safe from harmful content.

Below are a series of guides for parents/carers to support them in putting age appropriate parental controls on their devices to support their children.

Social Media and App Advice

Social media and apps have become an integral part of our daily lives, providing us with endless opportunities for communication and entertainment. However, it is important for parents and carers to be aware of the potential risks that come with using these platforms.

Ensuring your child's safety while using social media and apps is crucial. It is important to educate them on the potential dangers and teach them how to use these platforms safely. Monitoring their online activity and setting boundaries can help protect them from harmful content and interactions.

Below are a series of 'guides' that can provide parents/carers with the information they need to ensure the safe, age-appropriate and respectful use of social media and apps. *Please note that the legal age for people to use the majority of social media sites is 13 and children under this age SHOULD NOT be using them.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

As parents and carers, it's important to stay informed about the latest technologies that are shaping our world, including AI. One of our top priorities at Oldfield Brow is keeping children safe in an AI world.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise many aspects of our lives, but it also comes with risks. At Oldfield Brow, we are dedicated to educating our students about the benefits and dangers of AI, and equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate this rapidly evolving technology safely in order to meet our school vision of allowing them to "thrive in a changing world" (School Vision, 2023)

As parents and carers you play a crucial role in helping your child stay safe in an AI world. By staying engaged with their online activities, setting boundaries, and having open conversations about AI, you can help ensure that your child is using technology responsibly and ethically. Together, we can create a safe and supportive environment for our children to thrive in the digital age.