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    Online Safety

    Be safe on the Internet

    Staying Safe Online: Advice for Children

    At Clockhouse, we want you to enjoy learning, playing and creating online. Whether you are using a tablet, phone, computer or games console, these rules will help you make safe choices.

    Be SMART online!

    S — Safe: keep personal information private

    • Keep your address, phone number, school, location and passwords private.
    • Check with a parent, carer or teacher before entering personal information into a website, app or game.
    • Ask a parent or carer before sharing photographs or videos. Pictures can reveal information about you, such as your school or where you live.
    • Keep passwords private from friends. Ask an adult to help you create a strong password and follow your school’s instructions for school accounts.

    M — Meeting: keep online friendships online

    • People online may not be who they say they are.
    • Do not arrange to meet someone you only know online. Tell a trusted adult if anyone asks to meet you.
    • Tell an adult if someone asks you to keep your conversations secret, move to a private chat or send photographs.
    • These rules apply even if you have played or chatted with someone for a long time.

    A — Accepting: stop before you click

    • Check with an adult before opening unexpected links, messages or files, even if they appear to come from someone you know.
    • Ask before downloading games or apps, joining group chats or spending money online.
    • Be careful with pop-ups and offers of free prizes or game money. They may be tricks.
    • Use games, apps and websites that a parent, carer or teacher has checked are suitable for your age.

    R — Reliable: check before you believe

    • Not everything online is true. Pictures, videos, voices and information can be changed or made up.
    • Ask yourself: Who made this? Can I check it somewhere else?
    • Use websites recommended by your teacher or a trusted adult.
    • Artificial intelligence (AI) can give incorrect answers, even when it sounds confident. Check important information with an adult and a reliable source.

    T — Tell: you do not have to deal with worries alone

    • Tell a trusted adult if something online makes you feel worried, upset, confused or uncomfortable.
    • This includes messages from people you know as well as people you have never met.
    • Stop replying and ask an adult to help you block or report someone.
    • If the first adult cannot help, tell another adult. Keep telling until you get help.

    You can always ask for help—even if you clicked something by mistake, broke a rule or were told to keep a secret. It is never your fault if someone chooses to hurt or trick you.

     

    Being smart with artificial intelligence (AI)

    AI is technology that can answer questions and create things such as writing, pictures, music and videos. It can help us explore ideas, but we need to use it carefully.

    - Ask first. Only use AI tools that a parent, carer or teacher has checked you are allowed to use and are suitable for your age.

    - Protect your privacy. Do not put personal details, passwords or photographs of yourself or other people into AI tools.

    - Check the answer. AI can make mistakes, invent information or give unfair answers.

    - Remember it is a computer tool. An AI chatbot is not a person or a trusted adult. Speak to a real trusted adult about worries.

    - Be kind. Never use AI to create pictures, voices or messages that could hurt, embarrass or trick someone.

     

    Be kind and think before you share

    - Use kind, respectful words in games, messages and group chats.

    - Ask permission before taking or sharing someone’s photograph or video.

    - Do not forward unkind messages or embarrassing pictures.

    - Remember that something you share can be copied, even in a private chat.

    - If someone is being treated unkindly, tell a trusted adult.

     

    Make time for other things

    Enjoy time online alongside playing, reading, moving, resting and spending time with others. Follow the routines you agree with your parent or carer, and take a break if being online makes you feel upset or frustrated.

     

    Who can help me?

    Think of three trusted adults you could go to for help. These might include a parent, carer, teacher, teaching assistant or another adult who helps you feel safe.

    You can also contact Childline https://www.childline.org.uk/  free on 0800 1111.

    If something does not feel right: stop, step away and tell a trusted adult.

    Parental Controls

    Please follow the links below to the information and a short video about Parental Controls. 

    Help us, help you to keep your child safe online.