Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the Internet or other online technologies
This statement covers the key principles of pupils’ e-safety. Pupils should be aware of the main risks associated with the Internet, and recognise that they should not share certain types of personal information online.
Young children have little awareness of who can access online information, so it is best to teach them not to communicate any personal information online. Pupils should develop their sensitivity to others online, treating them with respect, and showing respect for their privacy.
Pupils should have an age-appropriate understanding of their responsibilities under the school’s acceptable use policy. As pupils may inadvertently access inappropriate content on the web, they need to know how to report a worry, and they should be encouraged to talk to teachers or parents about their concerns.
Adults worry about extreme content, but pupils’ worries are often at a lower level, related to material they consider unfair or unkind. In order for pupils to feel supported, it is important that adults empathise with, and address, these worries, and there should be no blame attached to a pupil reporting such concerns.
Pupils must have a clear understanding of what to do if they have concerns about inappropriate online behaviour (such as unwelcome contact or cyberbullying). Telling a teacher or parent should normally be the first response, but pupils should also know that they can talk directly and confidentially to Childline about such matters.
You must follow your school’s child protection policy, and your child protection lead must be informed about any potential abuse, whether online or offline. This may include informing the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP).4 Further information for teachers on e-safety is available on CEOP’s Thinkuknow5 site.
