Online Safety
At Leigh Primary School we encourage all our children to use the internet. The purpose of internet use in school is to raise educational standards, to promote pupil achievement, to support the professional work of staff and to enhance the school’s management functions. Internet use is part of the statutory curriculum and a necessary tool for learning. The internet is part of everyday life for education and the school has a duty to provide students with quality internet access as part of their learning experience.
Whilst encouraging the children to use the internet we also educate them about the risks that this can involve. Children and young people are more at risk of exposure to inappropriate or criminal behaviour if they are unaware of the dangers.
These dangers can include:
- viewing unsuitable content e.g. hate material, adult content, sites that endorse unhealthy behaviour
- giving out personal information
- arranging to meet an online 'friend'
- becoming involved in, or the victim of, bullying, identity theft, or making and sending indecent or illegal images
- spending too much time online which can effect concentration, education, sleep and health
- copying information from the Internet or buying work from other people to use as their own.
We educate children about the dangers online, how to identify them and what to do through our curriculum and practices in school these include:
- Providing them with clear rules and guidelines of how to stay safe by using the Acceptable Use Posters in classrooms through the Kent County Council
- Purple Online Safety Curriculum
- National Online Safety Lessons
- Referencing ThinkUKnow Scheme
- Operating a culture of openness so that children feel they can talk to trusted adults in school is something concerns them online
We ensure that staff and parents are knowledgeable and equipped to keep our pupils safe by:
- Operating robust policies associated with Online Safety
- Annual training of Online Safety and Child Protection through in house training, Kent County Council provision and the National Online Safety Platform.
- Providing all parents with access to the NOS platform for training, explainer videos and guides on apps, games and sites that children are accessing outside school.
- using filtering and monitoring systems, recommended by Kent County Council on all school devices
We have added a CEOP link on the front page of this school website. CEOP works with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. CEOP protect children from harm online and offline, directly through NCA led operations and in partnership with local and international agencies. If any child finds something on the internet that worries them then they can use this link to report what they have seen.
References
ThinkUKnow
We recommend the nationally-acclaimed ThinkUKnow scheme. The scheme highlights the importance of online safety and promotes use of the "Report Abuse" button to report illegal or inappropriate online behaviour.
UK Safer Internet Centre
The UK Safer Internet Centre is coordinated by a partnership of three leading organisations; Childnet International, the South West Grid for Learning the NSPCC with O2 and the Internet Watch Foundation. It is co-funded by the European Commission and has three main functions: an Awareness Centre, a Helpline and a Hotline.
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection)
Are you worried about online sexual abuse or the way someone has been communicating with you online?
Make a report to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors
Educate against hate
Click here for information about how messages of hate can take many forms. Extremist groups use them to recruit young people. Parents can find answers to common questions and resources to help protect their children on this site.
UKCCIS
The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) was a group of more than 200 organisations drawn from across government, industry, law, academia and charity sectors that work in partnership to help keep children safe online. For more information click here.
Other resources
- Advice for parents on cyberbullying
- Advice for parents on prevention of mobile phone theft
- E-safety information booklet 1
- E-safety information booklet 2
- Supporting young people online - Childnet
- Parent Factsheet from UKSIC
Online Safety Story Books
Storybooks provide amazing opportunities for parents to read together and learn with children. These books can be used to start conversations about online safety early (and often) and enable us to explore children’s knowledge and understanding about online behaviours and risks. Storybooks can enable adults to confidently facilitate age appropriate discussions about online behaviour, as well as considering the wider impact of modern technology on everyday values.
Age recommendations are for guidance only and children’s needs and abilities should always be taken into account.
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Digiduck’s Big Decision
By Lindsay Buck (Childnet International) and Ciara Flood
Suitable for children aged 3-7 (also suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vv9eTbR5X-U
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Digiduck is available in a variety of formats (including Spanish and Norwegian) and was produced by Childnet International to help Foundation Stage and KS1 children explore the idea of being a good online friend. Digiduck needs help to make a difficult decision about sharing photos online. Digiduck can be used to discuss issues such as online friendship, taking and sharing photos safely, online gaming and responsibility online. The Digiduck resource also compliments another e-Book by Childnet for children aged 3-7 called “Smartie the Penguin”. |
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Chicken Clicking
By Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
Suitable for children aged 3+ (also suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
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Chicken Clicking explores the story of a little chick that sneaks into the farmer’s house at night and buys herself and her farmyard friends lots of gifts. Chicken Clicking also uses the internet to go online and meet a new friend but all is not as it seems! This story is a 21st century version of the “Chicken Licken” fairy story, a familiar tale for both adults and children and provides opportunities for discussion about keeping safe online. Chicken Clicking can be used to discuss issues such as password safety, supervision, posting personal information, taking/sharing photos, meeting online friends and trust/reliability. |
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Troll Stinks
By Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
Suitable for children aged 3+ (also suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-qUrCTUC8M
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Billy Goat and his best friend Cyril are messing about with the farmer’s mobile phone, taking selfies and playing games… until they find the number for a troll. Their Grandpa Gruff says trolls are bad, so Billy and Cyril decide to get their own back by sending mean messages. After all, trolls really do stink! Don’t they? This story is a 21st century version of the “Billy Goat’s Gruff” fairy story, a familiar tale for both adults and children and provides opportunities for discussion about keeping safe online. Troll Stinks can be used to discuss issues such as cyberbullying, being kind online and taking/sharing pictures. |
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Penguinpig
By Stuart Spendlow and Amy Bradley
Suitable for children aged 5-7 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7pgTXbhizA
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Written by primary school teacher, Stuart, Penguinpig is a story about a little girl who finds out about a magical creature online but her parents are too busy to help her so she sets off to find one. Penguinpig is a rhyming book which explores the issues of reliability online and the need to be aware that not everything online is true! Penguinpig can be used to discuss the issue of reliability and trust online with children. The main message within Penguinpig is that sometimes people use the internet to lie or trick other people and strongly emphasises that children should always check content with a trusted adult. |
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Monkeycow
By Stuart Spendlow and Amy Bradley
Suitable for children aged 5-7 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils).
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A follow-up to Penguin Pig, Monkeycow explores password safety. When a little girl creates the most delicious chocolate cake imaginable for the summer fair, she hides it in a top-secret underground base with a password for the door. Filled with delight, she makes her way around the town spreading the news and sharing the password with some locals. However, little does she know the disaster that is soon to strike… Monkeycow can be used to discuss safe passwords with children. The main message is about the importance of keeping passwords private. |
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The Internet is like a Puddle
By Shona Innes and Irisz Anocs
Suitable for children aged 3-9 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59zia4DVPIg
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“The internet is like a puddle” uses the analogy of a puddle to explore both the fun and positive side of the internet but also to help children understand that there are often hidden risks below the surface. The book emphasises the importance of adults helping children to keep safe but also encourages children to listen to their gut instinct when something doesn’t feel right or safe online. The Internet is a like a Puddle can be used to discuss issues such as seeing upsetting content and talking to an adult. |
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Webster’s Email
By Hannah Whaley
Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
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Webster’s Email is a rhyming story that explores the idea of sharing content online and how quickly things can be shared. Webster the little spider emails a funny picture of his sister but it quickly is forwarded to lots of people and throughout the book, children can count how many people end up seeing the picture. This book encourages children to be aware that once a picture has been shared online, it can’t’ always be removed and it is very hard to control. Webster’s Email can be used to discuss email etiquette, over sharing, being kind online, taking/sharing photos, meeting strangers online and using technology responsibly. |
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Webster’s Bedtime
By Hannah Whaley
Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
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Webster’s Bedtime is a rhyming story which explores the need for us all to switch off from screens and internet, especially at bedtime. The story acknowledges that this is often easier said than done and enables children to think about the impact technology can have. Webster’s Bedtime can be used to discuss using technology responsibly, screen time, balanced use, gaming and using mobile phones and tablets responsibly. |
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Webster’s Friend
By Hannah Whaley
Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
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Webster’s friend is a rhyming story that explores the idea of making an online friend. Webster the spider meets a new online friend who he wants to impress but he isn’t honest about who he is. Things taking a surprising turn when Webster’s new friend wants to meet him! Webster’s Friend introduces the concept of online friends to young children and highlights the fact that anyone can lie online due to the anonymity of the internet. Webster’s friend can be used to discuss meeting strangers online, gaming, reliability, trust, speaking to an adult and using technology responsibly. |
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Webster’s Manners
By Hannah Whaley
Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils) |
Webster learns about a new set of manners, helping him to be polite with technology and take care of his favourite gadgets and toys. However, the cheeky spider soon turns the tables on his daddy and makes him agree to the same rules! Told in a rhyming pattern, Webster’s Manners humorously helps children learn about responsible use of technology, while reminding grown-ups that they can lead by example. |
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Dot
By Randi Zuckerberg and Joe Berger
Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
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Dot explores the story of a little girl called Dot who is very good at using technology. Dot knows how to tap, swipe and share online, but seems to have forgotten how to do things in the world – she then has fun exploring all the ways she can tap, swipe and share offline. Dot is written by Randi Zuckerberg, sister of Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg. Dot explores the need for children to balance internet use with offline world fun. It can be used to discuss using technology responsibly and the need for children to explore the world both on and offline. Dot doesn’t demonise technology and the book clearly shows that both on and offline play can be fun and exciting activities. |
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It’s a Book
By Lane Smith
Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
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It’s a Book explores the role of books in a digital age via a humorous discussion between an IT-savvy donkey, a book-loving ape and a mouse. It’s a Book can be used to discuss using technology safely and responsibly and also the different ways children can read and have fun both on and offline. |
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When Charlie McButton Lost Power
By Suzanne Collins and Mike Lester
Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils)
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Charlie McButton explores the story of a little boy who likes computer games so much he never plays with anything the else. When a thunderstorm knocks out the electricity his tech empire comes tumbling down. Charlie needs batteries fast the only ones he can find are in his little sisters talking doll. Will he resort to desperate measures and cause his sister to have a meltdown of her own or will he snap out of his computer craze long enough to realize his sister might be fun even if she doesn’t come with batteries?! When Charlie McButton Lost Power can be used to explore addiction and gaming and the need for children to balance technology with offline fun. The book can be used to discuss empathy, using technology responsibly (including screen time) and the need for children to explore and relationships both on and offline. |
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Tek The Modern Cave Boy
By Patrick McDonnell
Suitable for children aged 3-11 (also be suitable for KS3/SEND pupils)
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Tek tells the story of a cave boy in love with tech: his tablet, videogames, phone, and TV keep him deep in his cave, glued to his devices, day in and day out. He never sees his friends or family anymore – and his ability to communicate has devolved to just one word: “UGH”! Can anyone in the village convince Tek to unplug and come outside into the big, beautiful world? Tek is a tablet shaped book that explores the need to balance technology use with ‘real world’ activities. Tek can help explore the need for children to balance internet use with offline world fun. It can be used to discuss using technology responsibly and the need for children to explore the world both on and offline. |
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Once Upon a Time… Online: Happily Ever After Is Only a Click Away!
By David Bedford and Rosie Reeve
Suitable for children aged 3-11 (also be suitable for KS3/SEND pupils)
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Once upon a time, a laptop arrived in Fairy-tale land… A happily ever after is only a click away! Find out what happens when our favourite fairy-tale characters receive a laptop and learn a lesson in online safety. Using popular fairy stories including Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Cinderella, the book explores issues such as safe shopping. |
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Goldilocks (A Hashtag cautionary tale)
By Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross Suitable for children aged 3-8
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Everyone loves Goldilocks’ hilarious online videos, but in her quest to get more likes, more laughs and more hits, she tries something a little more daring: stealing porridge #pipinghot, breaking chairs #fun, and using someone else’s bed #sleep. What will Daddy Bear do when he sees that online? |
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Unplugged
By Steve Anthony
Suitable for children aged 1-5
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Blip spends all day plugged into her computer, playing games and having fun. But when there's a power cut, Blip goes down the stairs and out the front door, where she discovers playing games and having fun... outside! Isn't it wonderful to be unplugged? |
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Blackout
By John Rocco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xhrb0T12Dk
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What is a family to do when one hot night the power goes out?!! Sister can’t use the phone, mother can’t work on her computer, Dad can’t even finish cooking dinner! What will the do? |
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But I read it on the internet
By Toni Buzzeo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqYsYBBltDY
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A useful story to share with primary children as they learn to assess the accuracy of web based sources of information. |
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Hello! Hello!
By Matthew Cordell
Suitable for ages 4-7
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Outside the world is bright and colorful, but Lydia's family is too busy with their gadgets to notice. She says Hello to everyone. Hello? Hello! Her father says hello while texting, her mother says hello while working on her laptop and her brother doesn't say hello at all. The T.V shouts Hello! But she doesn't want to watch any shows. Lydia, now restless, ventures outside. There are so many things to say hello to! Hello rocks! Hello leaves! Hello flowers! When Lydia comes back home she decides to show her family what she has found, and it's hello world and goodbye gadgets! |
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Technology Tail: A digital footprint story
By Julia Cook
Suitable for children aged 6-11
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Julia Cook’s The Technology Tail: A Digital Footprint Story educates kids on being kind to others and responsible for what they post online. The story features a young girl whose computer reveals that it knows about all her online activities. This causes the little girl to develop a “digital tail”, which receives a gift whenever she posts something nice or helps others online and becomes bruised, scratched or torn every time she’s irresponsible or unkind. The tail follows her around everywhere, and is a constant reminder of her behaviour online. Complete with colourful illustrations and catchy rhymes, this book will help little ones realise that everything they post on online, good or bad, is attached to them for life. Everything leaves a digital footprint that can’t be erased, so children must use the internet with caution. The book also includes a five-step process that helps children think before they post online:
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The Tweeting Galah
By Kim Maslin |
Unique and quirky Australian characters bring to life the common experiences faced by children growing up with technology in the 2020s. The Tweeting Galah series is the perfect collection of stories for teaching children how to stay safe online. It is designed to entertain and educate, with an emphasis on how to embrace technology and use it in a positive, purposeful way. Join Gabbo the Galah, Pablo the Penguin and Pebbles the Possum, along with the whole feathery (and furry) gang, as they navigate a world of social media, gaming and texting. Each story ends with reflection questions to guide conversations with children. An effective unplugged resource for teaching cyber safety, digital citizenship, ICT, digital literacy and digital technologies! |
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The Fabulous Friend Machine
By Nick Bland |
Popcorn is, quite simply, the Friendliest chicken at fiddlesticks farm! When she finds a fabulous friend machine (aka a mobile phone) in the barn, she sets about making some brand new friends. But behind the screen of the fabulous friend machine, maybe her new friends are not so friendly after all. A cautionary tale from the globally best-selling Nick bland. Popcorn is, quite simply, the Friendliest chicken at fiddlesticks farm! When she finds a fabulous friend machine (aka a mobile phone) in the barn, she sets about making some brand new friends. But behind the screen of the fabulous friend machine, maybe her new friends are not so friendly after all. A cautionary tale from the globally best-selling Nick bland. |
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The Surfing Penguin
By Kim Maslin
Suitable for children aged 8-12
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The much anticipated sequel to "The Tweeting Galah" is here, with new and familiar furry faces returning to the Australian outback. Join them, as they learn how to stay safe, happy and healthy as they use their devices to go online. The animals' stories and lessons are brought to life using innovative Zappar augmented reality technology, adding a unique dimesion to this reading experience. Thousands of copies of "The Tweeting Galah" series have already been sold worldwide, and hundreds of teachers are using this resource in their primary school classrooms. This is a great addition to computer and technology education classes worldwide.
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Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn Proofing Today's Young Kids
By Kristen A Jenson
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Want a comfortable way to talk to your kids about pornography? This newly revised edition of the original bestseller makes that daunting discussion easier! Good Pictures Bad Pictures is a read-aloud story about a mum and dad who explain what pornography is, why it can be dangerous, and how to reject it. This is not formally recommended by Leigh Primary School and it is down to parents to decide whether they wish to share it with older children and review it before use.
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