How much screen time do your children get?

Click here for a very informative leaflet on screen time.

Do your children use TikTok?

Click here for some useful information for how to keep your children safe.

Questions you may want to ask your child/children:

  • What do you like to do most online?
  • Do you play games with friends you know or do you play with anyone?
  • What do you write on your platforms? Who can see your platforms?
  • Do you tell your online friends your secrets or things you wouldn’t tell them in the playground?
  • What is the age rating of the game you are playing? Can I play/watch the game with you?
  • The minimum age to be able to open an account on Facebook and many other social networks is 13 years. If they have an account, ask what age they pretended to be and why?
  • Do you know your online friends in the real world? Are you always nice to your online friends?
  • If someone online says or does something to frighten or upset you would you know what to do?
  • Would you let a stranger in the street ask you personal questions in the real world? Do you let a stranger online ask you personal questions? If yes is it time to change?
  • Can you show me how to change Facebook privacy settings? Are your settings correct and have you disabled ‘Facebook Places’?
  • Has anyone ever said something nasty to you online?Do you know or can you show me how to report nasty comments, images and videos on Facebook and so on. Are you aware that you can usually do this anonymously?
    • Were you frightened or scared?
    • Would you know what to do?
  • Once online – always online. Ask your child/children if they are happy for those comments, images, videos to be online forever? This online content could have a long term negative impact such as not getting a job interview or generally being unhappy about what was said and done several months/ years ago

Keeping your Children Safe

You keep your child/children safe in the real world. Here are some things you may want to do to help your child/children ‘Stay Safe’ in the online world:

  • Set ground rules and with younger children agree which websites they can visit.Remember these will vary depending upon the ages of your child/ren.
  • Agree time limits and regular breaks. Remember letting children play video games just before bedtime may stop them sleeping and have an impact on their learning.
  • Find out how to set the parental controls and safe search. Consider buying parental monitoring/ control software for younger children. Remember none of these are 100% effective and supervision is always needed.
    • Check the home page of your child/ren’s favourite social network, game and so on. This will give you an overview of the website and its suitability.
    • Spend 30 minutes watching your child/ren play an online game so that you can see the content and be happy that it is suitable for them.
    • Check the age ratings of games at PEGIRemember video games ratings are all about the content and not the difficulty of the game.
    • Say NO to your child playing any game that has a rating of 18 years and above or using websites that you think are unsuitable.
    • Talk you child/ren about their privacy settings and ask them to show you how to change these settings. Encourage your child/ren to only have online friends that know in the real world.
    • Tell your child/ren what to do if they ever feel frightened or scared when online or using their mobile phone. It is important that your child/ren know they can always talk to you and you will help them (you may not know the answer but by talking to the school, other parents, ThinkUknow FAQs, mobile phone provider and so on you will be able to find a solution)
    • Visit ThinkUknow and look at the parents’ section. Show your child the ‘Report Abuse’ button and together click to see the advice and links.
    • Visit Childnet and have a look at the parents’ section. Towards the bottom of the page, ‘Parents Online’ is an interactive animation specifically developed for parents.
    • Here is a useful Parents and carers leaflet about social media and the impact on pupils mental health.

NSPCC Online Safety

The NSPCC has put together two very useful documents for parents to support online safety.

NSPCC Online Safety Resource Sheet

NSPCC Online Safety Factsheet

Childnet International

A non-profit making organisation working directly with children, parents and teachers to ensure that the issues of online child protection and children’s safe and positive use of the internet are addressed. Childnet International produce an online CD guide specifically for parents, KnowITAll – www.childnet-int.org/kia/. Also, really useful stuff on how to keep your young children safe on the internet. How do I keep my under 5 safe on the Internet? 

Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP)

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has set up its own edcational website which has been designed and written specifically for children, young people, teachers, parents and carers.

Kidsmart

Kidsmart is an award winning internet safety website for parents and those working with children. It has been developed by the children”s internet charity Childnet International and has excellent information on many of the technologies used by children, with guidance on how to ‘stay safe’ online.

Bullying

One in five young people have experienced bullying by text message or via email. This web site gives advice for children and parents on bullying.

Vodafone & Mumsnet Parents’ Guide

Vodafone have developed this website in conjunction with mumsnet. It is very accessible and provides information and guidance to parents with understanding their child’s digital world and get more involved. There is even an on-line test to see how much you know!

We are proud to be a part of SUA Trust

Join the Trust

SUAT supports and leads in the set-up of new academies joining the partnership. The services provided by the central support function cover both educational and non-educational support. In terms of educational support, SUAT is linked to the School of Education of Staffordshire University, which is an outstanding ITT provider.