At Northwood Community Primary School, safeguarding our pupils is paramount. We believe that, in a world where technology is ever-present, it is vital for pupils to grow up with the skills and understanding to use it effectively. At Northwood Community Primary School, we embrace technology as a powerful tool for learning and creativity, integrating it into our curriculum to enhance educational experiences. The staff, at Northwood, dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe, make informed decisions, and become responsible digital citizens. We prepare our pupils not only to protect themselves but also to contribute positively to the online community.

We believe that both school and home play crucial roles in supporting children to make informed and responsible decisions online. By working together, we can provide a consistent message about digital safety and citizenship. Our school provides structured education on digital literacy and safe internet practices, creating a foundation of knowledge and awareness. Meanwhile, parents and guardians at home reinforce these lessons and supervise online activities, ensuring consistent application of safety measures. This partnership helps create a comprehensive support system, equipping students with the skills and vigilance needed to navigate the digital world securely. By working together, school and home can effectively safeguard children from online risks and promote a healthy, responsible digital culture.

We are committed to empowering parents with updated guidance around online safety. By providing resources and guidance on internet safety, we aim to help parents protect their children from online risks and foster a safe digital environment at home. Our school offers workshops to keep parents informed about current online threats and best practices for digital safety, ensuring that together we can support our children's safe and responsible use of technology.

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Social Media

Social media apps are widely used for communication and entertainment. Popular platforms include Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, and WhatsApp. Instagram and TikTok, known for their photo, video sharing, and creative content, require users to be at least 13 years old. The same age restrictions are in place for setting up a Youtube account. WhatsApp, used for messaging and group chats, requires users to be at least 16 years old.

Since our pupils are not old enough to have these accounts, our stance at NCPS is that they should not have them. We ask that if your child has a social media account, you close the account. We ask if your child is asking to have a social media account you say no. If your child has their own device, please check that they have not set up one without your permission. If they have, please report and delete it.

We talk to our pupils about online safety and age restrictions, but we ask that you take the next step to stop your child accessing these services.

Parent Guides to Online Safety

Gaming

Online gaming is hugely popular with children and young people. Annual research conducted by OFCOM shows that gaming is still one of the top activities enjoyed online by 5–16 year olds, with many of them gaming on mobile phones, games consoles, tablets or computers.

Most online games have an age rating based on their themes and those with violent and sexual content will have a higher rating. The age rating system is provided by PEGI and gives an overview of individual games which can help you, as responsible adults, to decide if it’s appropriate. These ratings don’t include communication features, so a game with a low rating may let children speak to people they don’t know.

THINKUKNOW

Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline.

Explore one of the six Thinkuknow websites for advice about staying safe when you're on a phone, tablet or computer.

UK Safer Internet Centre

UK Safer Internet Centre: Childnet is part of the European Commission appointed UK Safer Internet Centre. Together with partners the Internet Watch Foundation and the South West Grid for Learning, we raise awareness about online safety, develop information materials and resources and organise high profile events such as Safer Internet Day. You can access a range of resources from across the UK, Europe and wider afield at 

Online Safety Stories KidSMART

This award winning Childnet website is for children, teachers, parents and carers and offers fun games and activities for children alongside effective online safety advice. New! Don’t forget to check out our new Early Surfers’ Zone for 3-7 year olds where you can read the online stories ‘The Adventures of Smartie the Penguin’ and ‘Digiduck’s Big Decision’