Online E-SAFETY ADVICE AND RULES FOR RESPONSIBLE ICT, DATA USE AND MOBILE PHONES
You will be given a paper copy of this document to sign at your induction interview.

We want to be sure that students, parents and teachers know how to use new technologies safety and effectively. We therefore ask you to read and sign to acknowledge your understanding and agreement of these rules. Without this signed contract, students will not be able to access ICT at school. A broken contract will result in no access to ICT. For more information on internet safety, please refer to www.kidsmart.org.uk or http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk.

The school has computers with Internet access to help our teaching and learning. These rules will keep you safe and help us be fair to others.

1.Social Networking
Social networking sites and apps like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram have a minimum age limit of 13 years, whilst Whatsapp has a minimum age limit of 16 years. Check to ensure your child is above the age limit. Although these sites are particularly useful for communicating and sharing information with friends, children wrongly believe that social networking sites are private spaces. They are not and can potentially be risky.

•Children can post contents which they later regret as their original content can be reposted, or even changed and reposted leading to some distress to themselves or others.
•The personal information children upload can also be used to contact, locate and identify them by adults with a sexual interest in children.

Advice
•Use privacy settings.
•Discuss “Think before you post” with your children to raise awareness of potential risks.
•Reiterate to your child NOT post anything that will embarrass them or others if it is made public.

2. Gaming
Online gaming is very popular with young people but there are also risks. These include inappropriate content, unwanted contact with bullies or adults with unhealthy interests in children and the possibility of your child behaving inappropriately towards others whilst gaming.
Advice
•Check age limits on games.
•Talk to your children about the online games they play and the people they come into contact with.
•Periodically, watch them play the games to get an idea of the content they are exposed to.
•Limit the amount of time your child spends gaming.

3.Online Grooming
Adults with an unhealthy sexual interest in children will approach children online to build up a relationship which can eventually allow the adult to meet the child in person and intentionally cause harm.

Advice
•Discuss with your children that “friends” online are not always friends.
•Report any unhealthy contact between a “friend” and your child to Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) immediately.

4.Pornography
Children’s natural curiosity about sex can lead them to turn to the internet. Some may actively seek pornography whilst others may stumble across it.

Advice
•Ask questions which promote discussion and listen to what your child thinks.
•Discuss with your child your opinions and values but avoid being judgemental.

5.Cyber bullying – using the internet or mobile phones to bully others

This type of bullying is particularly distressing for children as it can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Texts and images can be sent to a wide range of people very quickly.

Advice
•Don’t deny access to technology as this may prevent children from opening up about cyber bullying.
•Discuss the cyber bullying and explore how to report the bullying.
•Save the evidence so that you can show it to teachers or the police when reporting the bullying.
•Don’t reply to the bully as this can sometimes make the situation worse.

Please be advised that the school takes any form of cyber bullying very seriously and there are strict sanctions in place for those who use the internet or phones to bully others.

6.Sexting – sending intimate or sexually explicit content of self or others using technology
Sexting usually happens due to pressure or poor judgements. It is against the law to send explicit images of any child and young people can be held responsible for creating images of child abuse. The police may treat first time abusers as victims but repeat offenders are viewed differently.

Advice
•Talk to your child about online privacy and how images sent can no longer be controlled.
•Make sure they know the law.
•Discuss peer pressure with them so that they are better equipped to deal with this should it arise.
•Maintain an open dialogue with your child about their online presence and they will be less likely to hide information from you.

7.Digital Footprint
Children and adults alike are not always aware that images or words they post online will be available for many years afterwards. This “digital footprint” is almost impossible to erase and can haunt people long after the original posting. Ensure your children are aware of this and always “Think before they post”. Please find out about parental controls from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISPs have filters and some controls which can be very useful to protect and safeguard your children.
Other websites for parents/carers are as follows:

www/saferinternet.org
www.pegi.info
www.ceop.police.uk
www.nspcc.org.uk

You will be asked to sign a paper copy of this policy at your interview.
You must read this carefully to your son/daughter.

Students:
•I understand I must only use the Internet, computers and other forms of ICT for school work, as directed by the teacher.
•I will only look at or delete my own files.
•I understand I will only use a Flash Drive (memory stick) to access school work as approved by my teacher.
•I will not attempt to use personal/social media websites, or engage in online gaming at school.
•I will only e-mail people I know, or my teacher has approved.
•The messages I send either through email or through messages on my phone will be polite and responsible.
•I must not take pictures or videos of students or staff without their permission.
•I must not post pictures or videos of students or staff onto websites/ mobile apps/Internet messaging or send them via text to other students.
•If I see anything I am unhappy with, or I receive messages I do not like via the Internet or mobile phone, I will tell a member of staff immediately.
•I understand that the school regularly monitors the sites I visit in school and may check my computer files.
•I understand that there are safe and unsafe ways of using the Internet and I will keep myself safe.
•I understand that I must never give my home address or telephone number or arrange to meet someone on the Internet.
•I understand that if I deliberately break these rules I will not be allowed to use the Internet or computer in school and I will face further sanctions (this could include a fixed term exclusion or being asked to leave the school).

Parents
We have read and understand the rules for safe ICT and data use, and we will support the school in monitoring my child’s use of their mobile phone. We will regularly check our child’s phone, look through their photos and messages, and talk with them about their safety online. We understand that the school has the right by law to search for content on pupils’ mobile phones should they believe there is inappropriate or harmful material and will involve the Safer Schools Police Officer in this process.