As children move up through the school their access to various types of technology increases and it stands to reason that their exploration and curiosity increases too. The positives of the digital world overwhelmingly outweigh the negatives but children, schools and parents all need to be aware of various online risks. At St Mark's CE Primary School, we teach children about online safety in every year group at an age-appropriate level as part of the Computing and PSHE curriculum. The safe use of social media and the internet will also be covered in other subjects where relevant. We use assemblies/worships to raise pupils’ awareness of how to engage with online content and navigate the internet responsibly and safely, and we may also invite speakers to talk to pupils about this.

Keeping Children Safe Online

We take online safety seriously and have measures in place to help protect pupils while using technology in school:

• Internet filtering systems are used on school devices
• Supervised access to online content and resources
• Clear expectations for safe and responsible use of technology (acceptable use agreement)
• Regular staff training on online safety and safeguarding

‘1 in 5 internet users in the UK are children.’

Advice for Children

We encourage all children to remember these simple rules:

• Always tell an adult if something online makes you feel uncomfortable or worried: ‘block, report, tell’.
• Never share personal information such as your name, address, school or passwords.
• Be kind and polite when talking to others online.
• Stop and think before clicking on links or buttons.
• Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are.
• Prioritise your health and take regular screen breaks.

Advice for Parents and Carers

Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children stay safe online. We recommend that you:

• Talk regularly with your child about their online activities.
• Keep devices in shared family spaces where possible.
• Monitor age-restrictions and review content to ensure it is age-appropriate. 
• Use parental controls and privacy settings.
• Agree boundaries for screen time and online use.
• Encourage children to speak up if something doesn’t feel right.

Useful Online Safety Resources

The following websites provide trusted advice and guidance for families:

• Thinkuknow – advice for children and parents about staying safe online
• NSPCC Online Safety – guides, tools and support for parents
• Internet Matters – practical tips, controls and age‑appropriate advice
• Barnardos Keeping Children Safe Online - explains what parents and carers need to know about end-to-end encryption and how to keep children safe online.
• Dorset Police Safer Schools and Communities Team (SSCT) - a partnership between Dorset Police, The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Dorset Combined Youth Justice Service with a remit to help keep children safe in a digital world. 
• Other links can be found below

Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity every year for schools and parents to focus on online safety with children, whatever their age. Safer Internet Day takes place in February with celebrations and learning based around a theme linked to online safety.

Other useful links

The Partnership has an IT and Communications Systems Policy which can be found on the Coastal Learning Partnership website here.

The Parent Code of Conduct can be found on our policy pages. This outlines the expectations of all communications via email and on social media.

The Acceptable use of the ICT Network, school systems and internet Agreement can be found below.

Concerns or Questions

If you have any concerns about online safety or would like further advice, please contact the school office on StMarksSwanage.Office@coastalpartnership.co.uk 

By working together, we can help our children develop safe, positive and confident online habits.

Fake News:

ALL NEWS ISN’T ALWAYS GOOD NEWS. We need to be mindful that as young people spend much more time online, they will come across many types of news to include, fake, real, biased, exaggerated and AI generated impersonation. They are then only a few clicks away to exploring more and vulnerable to being dragged into things. Factors such as being easily impressionable young people especially at risk.

The internet can be a great place to share information and socialise, but it can put you at risk.

Services to support you

There are several services that can offer advice about online risks:

Concerned about something online?

If you’ve got a concern, either:

• tell your parent, carer or another adult
• contact a social media site, if something on social media concerns you
• talk to the Safer Internet Helpline
•  

If someone has acted in an inappropriate way with you, or to someone you know, report it on the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) website.

Report it on the CEOP website

Parents and carers

Find out more about the internet, how you can keep your child safe online or support them if they are in trouble online:

For more support, call the Safer Internet Helpline.

Bullying and peer pressure

Find out what you can do if you are being bullied and who can help you stop it happening again:

Find out how the Safe Schools and Community Team (SSCT) can help.

Road safety advice

See our Travel Dorset pages and make yourself aware of the risks when it comes to road safety and find useful advice and information, whether you’re a pedestrian, driver or cyclist.

ARC Dorset

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (The Shores) in Dorset is here to support you. We help you deal with, and recover from, the emotional and physical side effects of the assault and can support you to report the incident to the police, but only if this is what you want to do.

The law and victims of crime

Find out about young people and the law and get advice if you’re the victim of crime with these links:

Homelessness and housing

Homelessness and housing advice for young people, including runaways support.

Health and relationships

Information about keeping healthy and safe, including sexual health advice and where to find support if you need help.

Young people’s rights

Know your rights as a young person and help make decisions that may help other young people.

Dorset Youth Offending Team

Dorset Youth Offending Team (YOT) provide services from prevention and youth justice to help stop
young people offending.