Safety & Wellbeing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take care when travelling to and from school and in the evenings when it is dark. Travel, where possible, in small groups and be aware of your surroundings. Keep to well-lit routes and refrain from using mobile devices when crossing the road or walking near traffic. Always let your parents/ carers know if you are running late or if you change your plans and speak to a trusted adult immediately if you feel unsafe or if you are worried.

 

Online Safety at RSG

The internet and related technologies, including mobile phones, games consoles and social networks and other apps are becoming increasingly important in the daily lives of our students and have many positive benefits. They can be used both educationally and socially and are becoming part of a child’s identity. Socially our children often use the internet for entertainment, interaction, and communication with friends. Access to the internet can take place anywhere and at any time so we need to make sure our children are able to use the internet safely. Many children are unaware of the risks - for example by having many online friends (who could be strangers), uploading inappropriate images, viewing unsuitable content or sharing too much personal information.

The challenge for parents, carers and teachers is to make sure our children are aware and understand how to be safe when using the internet and related technologies. In our ever changing world, and with damaging new online threats, we need to work in partnership to ensure that our students use the internet in a positive and productive way where they feel safe and secure.

Please also have a look at our online safeguarding app; RSG Safer Schools, which provides tailored and relevant support and notifications on all aspects and issues relating to online safety. We will be regularly posting Online Safety updates in a new section of our termly newsletter. If you have any further questions regarding online safety please contact the Year Office.

Key Advice for students:

• Keep your personal details private and turn off location services on social media
• Think before you post and consider if your content is appropriate
• Do not share your password with others
• Don’t arrange to meet up with someone you only know online, and tell a trusted adult if someone asks
• Tell a trusted adult if anything happens online that worries or upsets you
• Be careful who you video call or share live streaming content with online

Key Advice for parents and carers:

• Regularly discuss with your child their social media use, what they use the internet for, how to set safety features and how to report concerns
• Advise your child to set social network profile settings to private then ask them to show you that they have done it
• Ask your child about their online friends and warn them that some people create fake online identities and to be vigilant with who they communicate with
• Set appropriate Parental Controls on your child’s computer, mobile and games console
• Create a relationship with your child where they can tell you about something they have seen or received online
• Remember that most social media platforms are for students aged 15 or above
• Be aware of the age restrictions on social media platforms

Parental controls and app guides

Internet matters provides step by step guides for parents to set up controls and privacy settings for a wide range of apps, including Facebook, SnapChat, Instagram and YouTube. On YouTube, for example, Restricted Mode is an opt-in setting that helps screen out explicit and adult content to protect your children when they use YouTube.

National Online Safety also provides some fantastic visual guides that are tailored to both students and parents and carers to support understanding the risks with particular apps, how to make good use of social media platforms and tips on privacy and securing your social media profiles.

 

Useful websites to support students:

• BBC Own It; Provides support for young people to take control of their online life. Topics include help and advice, skills and inspiration on matters such as friendships and bullying, safety and self-esteem.

• Childline; Helps and supports anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk with Childline about anything, whether big or small; their trained counsellors can help.

• Google Internet Legends; A fun and interactive platform for young people to find out about many issues they may face online from trusting sources to online behaviour.

 

Useful websites to support parents and carers:

• NSPCC Net Aware; A guide to social networks, games and apps

• Think U Know; Guidance on protecting your child online and home activity packs and help sheets for home learning

• Internet Matters; Guidance on keeping your child safe online

• UK Council for Child Internet Safety; Government guidance 

• Parent Zone; Guidance on the challenges faced in this digital age