At Cradley C of E, keeping our children safe online is just as important as keeping them safe in the real world. The internet is a wonderful tool for learning, exploring, and connecting with others, but it also brings risks that children need to understand and manage.

We work closely with pupils to help them become responsible, respectful and resilient digital citizens. Through our curriculum and assemblies, children learn how to use technology wisely, make good choices, and know what to do if something worries or upsets them online.

Parents and carers play a vital role too. Together, we can help children enjoy the benefits of the digital world while staying safe. On this page, you’ll find advice, links and resources to support you in guiding your child’s online life, from setting up parental controls to starting open conversations at home.

Our aim is simple: to give every child the knowledge and confidence they need to “believe, belong, be happy – every child, every chance, every day” in both the offline and online world.

• Online safety presentation for parents.pdf

• Online Safety Day - Tuesday 10th February

  This week, classes have been part of e-safety workshops in school to raise awareness about the correct way to keep themselves safe.

  You could continue to explore this at home with your child using the following links:

  https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_uk/interland/

  https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/articles/band-runner/

  Have a go at this online safety quiz:

  https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/quiz/

  Responsible Parenting Online

  Parental controls on mobile phones are important tools that help parents keep their children safe online by limiting exposure to inappropriate content, managing how long and when devices can be used, and controlling what apps and websites can be accessed. They are not an invasion of privacy when used responsibly — rather, they’re a way for parents to fulfil their responsibility to protect their children from harmful material, digital predators, and unsafe online behaviours in a world where kids often have constant access to the internet and social apps. Parental controls work alongside open communication and teaching children good digital habits to create a safer online environment.

• Age 13+ Requirements: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Snapchat generally set 13 as the minimum age for creating accounts.
• While 13 is standard, some services or features may be designed for older users. 
• Parental Guidance: Despite the 13+ rule, many experts recommend assessing a child's maturity, as well as their ability to handle pressure or negative experiences, rather than just their age.

• Parents are advised to check the specific, updated age restrictions on platforms and discuss online safety, potential risks, and appropriate usage with their children, rather than relying solely on the 13+ restriction. 

  For further advice on parental controls, visit; https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/