Online Safety

 

At St Joseph’s, we take our responsibility for online safety seriously, ensuring that every pupil is protected, educated, and supported as they navigate the digital world

 

Lead with responsibility for online safety- Mr P. Greavy (DSL)

Mr P Greavy is contactable via email- enquiry@sjo-lumenchristi.org.uk or tel- 0121 458 2458

 

Filtering & Monitoring- 

 

At St Joseph's, we aim to support our families by helping-

Children use the internet every day — for learning, gaming, socialising and exploring. With the right support, they can enjoy the online world safely.

Children may come across violent, harmful or inappropriate material.

Strangers or unsafe individuals may attempt to communicate with children.

Cyberbullying, pressure to share personal information or unkind behaviour can affect wellbeing.

In‑app purchases, scams, and targeted advertising can catch children out.

-Talk Regularly

Create open conversations about what your child does online. Encourage them to tell you if something worries them.

-Set Boundaries

Agree clear expectations for screen time, apps, and online behaviour.

-Use Safety Tools

Set up parental controls, filters and privacy settings on devices, apps and home broadband.

-Stay Curious

Know the games, apps and platforms your child uses. Explore them together.

-Build Digital Resilience

Help children understand how to recognise risk, think critically, and make safe choices.

• Keep devices in shared spaces where possible
• Review age ratings for apps, games and videos
• Model positive digital behaviour
• Remind children: If something feels wrong, talk to an adult you trust

• Childnet – www.childnet.com
• Internet Matters – www.internetmatters.org
• Common Sense Media – www.commonsensemedia.org
• NSPCC Online Safety – www.nspcc.org.uk/onlinesafety

Supporting children to stay safe online is more important than ever. Young people use technology for learning, communication, entertainment and social connection — but with these opportunities come risks that parents need to understand.

Devices, apps and games are part of everyday life for children. Knowing what they are using, who they can interact with, and how content reaches them helps parents keep their children safe.

Children can face:

• Inappropriate content (violence, adult material, harmful information)
• Contact risks from strangers or unsafe groups
• Conduct risks such as cyberbullying, oversharing or peer pressure
• Commercial risks including scams, in‑app purchases or advertising

Understanding these helps parents spot early warning signs.

Young people may:

• Trust online friendships
• Struggle to judge what’s real or safe
• Feel pressure to fit in or respond quickly
  Parents play a vital role in guiding them to make safe, thoughtful choices.

Filtering, parental controls and monitoring tools help — but conversations at home are even more powerful. Children need:

• Clear expectations
• Opportunities to talk about worries
• Support when something goes wrong

Being safe online links directly to:

• Mental health and wellbeing
• Healthy relationships
• Preventing exploitation
• Protecting children from bullying and harm

Helping children develop digital resilience means they can enjoy the online world safely, now and into adulthood.

Online Safety at St Joseph's

Useful Internet Links

Click on any of the 'Useful E-Safety Internet Links' below:

 

Digital Parenting Magazine

Every year, 'Parentzone' issue a 'Digital Parenting Magazine' on their website. Below is a copy of the latest issue:

Issue 6: Digital Superheroes

Click on the image to view the magazine:

 

This issue covers the following topics:

• Prince William and the Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyber-bullying
• Digital resilience: what it is and how to nurture it in your children
• Just one thing: experts provide top tips for parents
• Fake news – spotting lies online
• Essential digital life skills, and creating a positive digital footprint
• Do you over-sharent? Test yourself
• Vodafone Story Time
• PSHE and its role in keeping your child safe online
• Digital minister talks about keeping children safe online
• Vodafone’s Helen Lamprell explains why Digital Parenting is so important
• Spotting harmful sexual and sexist behaviour online
• Screen time: the new rules and managing your own tech time
• Cybersecurity: a parent’s guide
• Body image and social media
• How new guidance is helping schools deal with underage sexting incidents
• Live streaming: what you need to know
• Just one thing: parents and teens offer their best tips
• Awkward conversations: how to have them and what to say
• Age ratings and what they mean
• Tools and controls
• How virtual reality is taking learning out of the classroom

 

To see any previous issues, click on the links below: