Parent Information

As parents we are all very aware, new and unpleasant things appear on the internet on a regular basis...unfortunately many of them are aimed at upsetting children! 

We as parents, need to take whatever steps we feel necessary to ensure our children remain safe online...after all, the majority of their time online takes place at home.

The following website has some very useful info posters for parents on various apps etc that children are keen to use and should help you make an informed decision before you give/refuse permission.  It includes some of the newer apps.

• National Online Safety

The Internet is a wonderful tool!

In Gilnahirk Primary School we use technology and the Internet extensively across all areas of the curriculum.  Online safeguarding, known as e-safety is an area that is constantly evolving.

Parents play the most important role in the development of their children; as such the school will ensure that parents have the skills and knowledge they need to ensure the safety of children outside the school environment.

E-Safety is being embedded into our curriculum; students will be given the appropriate advice and guidance by staff.  Similarly all students will be fully aware how they can report areas of concern whilst at school or outside of school.

• NSPCC: Net Aware A great resource for researching Social Networks, searchable database

• Childnet Know IT All for Parents is a unique interactive e-safety guide for parents and carers produced by Childnet International. It's designed to really help you as a parent or carer keep up to date with how children are using the internet, and support them in using these new exciting services safely and responsibly.

• Snapchat This app allows you to send a photo or video to friends instantly but is saved temporarily. Minimum age 13

• Instagram This is a video and picture sharing app that allows people to post comments and share. Minimum age 13

• WhatsApp This is an app that uses the internet to send messages, images, audio or video. So it saves you using your data allowance. Minimum age 16

• Facebook This is a social neworking site that makes it easy to conntect and share with family and friends. Minimum age 13

• Pinterest Pinterest is an online interactive pin board. Minimum age 13

• YouTube YouTube allows you to watch, create and comment on videos. Minimum age 13

• Keeping Young Children Safe Online

Advice for Children

• Thinkuknow

Thinkuknow is a great place to find the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it. If you look after young people there’s an area for you too – with resources you can use in the classroom or at home. Most importantly, there’s also a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or worried about someone they are chatting to online. All the information on the Thinkuknow website here is brought to you by the team at the NCA's CEOP Command.

• Smart Crew These cartoons illustrate 5 e-safety SMART rules and include a real life SMART Crew of young people, who guide the cartoon characters in their quest, and help them make safe online decisions

• Smartie the Penguin An e-safety story for 3 to 7 year olds. Join in with Daddy Penguin’s song and follow the adventures of Smartie and Daddy Penguin as Smartie learns how to be safe on the internet

• Kidsmart Website for children to find out more about e-safety