E-Safety
E-Safety
How do you work in partnership with parents to ensure online safety both in the setting and home?
As practitioners it is our role to keep children safe in the real world and the digital world.
When did you last access internet safety training?
ThinkUKnow is a national education and awareness programme developed by CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) using their unique experience and expertise in the online behaviours of children and young people. Programmes provide age appropriate information about online risks and guidance to help young people keep themselves safe online. All information emphasises the positive aspects of the internet, whilst highlighting the risks and how to stay in control of them.
Did you know?
Ofcom (Office for Communications) have released their latest report about their research on children’s media literacy - Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes 2023 (ofcom.org.uk)
Third of 3-4s now have their own media device | Safer Internet Centre
The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) does not require settings to have a policy/procedure on ICT or online safety but we would suggest it is good practice to show how you will support children's use of technology in your setting. Ensure you have a separate internet safety policy/procedure (see template) and ensure you include the use of mobile phones and cameras and state that you are registered as a data controller with ICO (Information Commissioners Office).
The UK Safer Internet Centre has announced that the theme for Safer Internet Day on 8 February 2022 is ‘All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online’. The day aims to celebrate young people’s role in creating a safer internet, whether that is whilst gaming and creating content, or interacting with their friends and peers.
Further information can be found here UK theme for Safer Internet Day 2022 announced | Safer Internet Centre
Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills
The signs of successful safeguarding arrangements
Adults understand the risks associated with using technology, including social media, of bullying, grooming, exploiting, radicalising or abusing children or learners. They have well-developed strategies in place to keep children and learners safe and to support them to develop their own understanding of these risks and in learning how to keep themselves and others safe. Leaders oversee the safe use of technology when children and learners are in their care and take action immediately if they are concerned about bullying or children’s well-being. Leaders of early years settings implement the required policies with regard to the safe use of mobile phones and cameras in settings.
Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Top Tips
Keep yourself up to date with training and research and consider the benefits and the risks to children in your setting.
- Communicate with parents and share appropriate information
- Talk to children in the setting about how to stay safe online and what to do if they are worried
- Use privacy settings, safety modes and filters
- Never use your own personal devices with children and be clear about what your setting policy states about the use of personal devices