Keeping your child safe online

CEOP helps any child or young person under the age of 18 who is being
pressured, forced or tricked into taking part in sexual activity of any kind.
You can visit the CEOP Safety Centre for information and advice and
make a report directly to CEOP.

Online safety is a vitally important part of modern education and something that is engaged with by all year groups at Fairfields.

Pupils have weekly online safety activities delivered by their class teacher as well as the topic being taught as part of their weekly computing lessons. Each year the whole school takes part in Internet Safety Day in February.

The online world is a rapidly changing landscape, therefore we aim to instill values and behaviours that will allow our students to be safe regardless of technological developments. By the end of their time with Fairfields they should be able to:

use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly;
recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour;
identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact

If you’re uncertain or worried about how to support your child with technology, then speak to us!

Alternatively, you might find your question answered in the below advice or weblinks.

Using the Internet safely.

The Internet is a fantastic source of fun e learning, but it's worth following some simple rules to help your children stay safe online.

Always sit with young children when they use the internet.
There are plenty of safe places for children to play and learn on the web. Find and save them as shortcuts.
Adjust browser settings and filters to protect children from unsuitable sites.
Get older children to use the computer, laptop or tablet in a family room or a place you share.
Talk to your child about how to stay safe online and let them know they can talk to you if they find themselves in any sort of trouble.

Children and social media.

Nearly all social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, Musical.ly and Skype have a minimum age of 13 to access and use their services. Whatsapp now has a minimum age of 16.

As an adult, you should consider carefully the impact of anything you share on your own social media about your child. For example, could your post identify them to strangers or compromise their safety.

Apps on smartphones and tablets.

Many children now use apps on smartphones and tablets. Some of these devices have a child mode that stop children leaving the app they are using and accessing other things accidentally.

Some apps have 'in-app purchases' that require a payment to get extra features or progress in the game. Some devices have parental controls that require a password to be entered before a purchase can be made.

If your device has these features, consider turning them on.

Top Tips

Prioritise safety - Teach children not to give out personal information. This includes their name, address, and telephone number. Other details about their life can give away more information than they might think. Children should avoid posting which school they go to or uploading pictures of themselves in their uniform.
Set parental controls - Work together with your child to agree a list of websites they can visit. Remember to check the minimum age limit on services like Facebook, Tik Tok and YouTube. Most social media channels have an age limit of 13.
Be open - Let them know that they can tell you about anything that happens on the internet. Try to listen without judgement or anger. With older children, explain your worries so they can see the reasoning behind any rules you set.
Location - Think about locating your computer in a supervised, family area to help you oversee what your child is accessing. Despite parental controls which you may have in place, unfortunately sometimes children can be exposed to unwanted and unpleasant comment content.
Discuss their activity - Take an interest in their online world. Talk to them about their favourite websites, videos, and their online friends. This will keep communication open between you and your child.
Set boundaries - Establish time limits for activities such as using the internet and gaming. Make sure to set aside time for 'unplugged' family activities.