At Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, we believe that keeping children safe online is just as important as keeping them safe in the physical world.

Technology offers fantastic opportunities for children to learn, communicate, create and have fun. However, the online world also presents risks, particularly for younger children who may not yet have the knowledge or experience to recognise when something is unsafe.

We are committed to helping our pupils become confident, responsible and safe digital citizens. We teach children how to use technology positively, make sensible choices online, protect their personal information and know what to do if something makes them feel worried or uncomfortable.

Parents and carers play a vital role in keeping children safe online. Working together, we can help children develop the skills and confidence they need to enjoy the digital world safely.

Talking to your child about online safety

The most important thing you can do is talk regularly with your child about what they do online.

You don't need to be a technology expert. Showing an interest in the games they play, the videos they watch and the websites they visit can make a big difference.

We encourage parents and carers to:

• Talk openly and regularly about what your child enjoys doing online.

• Ask your child to show you their favourite games, apps and websites.

• Agree clear rules about screen time and appropriate online behaviour.

• Keep devices in shared family areas where possible.

• Make sure you know who your child is communicating with online.

• Check age ratings before allowing your child to download games or apps.

• Use parental controls and privacy settings.

• Remind your child that people online are not always who they say they are.

• Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult if something worries them.

• Reassure your child that they will not be in trouble for asking for help.

A useful message to share with children:

"If something you see, hear, read or experience online makes you feel uncomfortable, worried or upset, stop what you are doing and tell a trusted adult. You will never be in trouble for asking for help."

Understanding online risks

As children become more confident using technology, it is important that they understand some of the risks they may encounter.

1. Inappropriate content

Children may accidentally come across content that is unsuitable for their age, including:

• Violence, frightening images or videos.

• Sexual or adult content.

• Offensive language or inappropriate conversations.

• Dangerous online challenges.

• Content promoting unhealthy body images or unrealistic lifestyles.

• Misleading information, conspiracy theories or harmful advice.

How parents can help:

• Use child-friendly search engines and age-appropriate platforms.

• Set parental controls on devices, browsers and streaming services.

• Check video recommendations and viewing histories.

• Make sure children know to close a page or video if something feels wrong.

• Explain that not everything online is suitable for children.

2. Online grooming and contact from strangers

Online grooming happens when someone builds a relationship with a child online to manipulate, exploit or abuse them.

An offender may pretend to be another child, use a fake profile or claim to share the same interests. They may offer gifts, compliments or rewards to gain a child's trust.

Warning signs can include someone:

• Asking a child to keep their conversations secret.

• Asking personal questions about where they live or go to school.

• Requesting photographs or videos.

• Offering gifts, gaming credits or money.

• Encouraging a child to move conversations to private messaging.

• Making a child feel guilty, frightened or pressured.

How parents can help:

• Encourage children to communicate online only with people they know and trust in real life.

• Check friends lists and privacy settings.

• Explain that online identities can be fake.

• Talk about secrets, pressure and manipulation.

• Make sure children know they can always tell you if someone makes them uncomfortable.

If you suspect online grooming or sexual exploitation, report it to the police or CEOP's Safety Centre.

3. Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place through digital devices, games, messaging services and online platforms.

It can include:

• Sending unkind, threatening or hurtful messages.

• Sharing embarrassing photographs or videos.

• Excluding someone from online groups.

• Spreading rumours or sharing private information.

• Creating fake accounts to impersonate someone.

• Encouraging others to target or upset a child.

Cyberbullying can happen at any time and may continue outside school hours.

How parents can help:

• Encourage your child to talk about their online friendships.

• Listen carefully if they say someone is being unkind.

• Keep evidence of concerning messages, usernames and dates where safe to do so.

• Use blocking and reporting tools.

• Contact school if the incident involves pupils or is affecting your child's wellbeing.

Remind your child that they should never retaliate or join in with online bullying.

4. Online gaming

Online games can be enjoyable, educational and a great way for children to develop skills. However, many games now include chat facilities, live communication, in-game purchases and interactions with strangers.

Some risks include:

• Communicating with people they do not know.

• Exposure to inappropriate language.

• Pressure to spend money on in-game purchases.

• Scams and attempts to steal gaming accounts.

• Sharing personal information.

• Inappropriate behaviour during live gaming sessions.

How parents can help:

• Check the game's age rating before allowing your child to play.

• Explore the game yourself and understand how it works.

• Disable voice and text chat where appropriate.

• Restrict communication to approved friends.

• Set spending limits and require permission for purchases.

• Use parental controls on consoles and gaming devices.

• Agree how long your child can play and when devices should be switched off.

Remember that an age rating is an important guide to the suitability of a game. It does not guarantee that every online interaction within that game will be safe.

5. Social media and messaging apps

Many social media platforms have minimum age requirements, commonly 13 years old. Some services have different requirements, so parents should always check the platform's current terms.

Children of primary school age should not be encouraged to create accounts on platforms for which they are below the minimum age.

Even when children are not using social media themselves, they may encounter social media content through friends, videos, games or shared devices.

Parents should be aware of:

• Private messaging and group chats.

• Sharing photographs and videos.

• Live streaming.

• Location-sharing features.

• Contact from strangers.

• Pressure to gain followers, likes or attention.

• The permanent nature of digital footprints.

Always check the minimum age and safety features of individual platforms. Do not assume that parental supervision makes an underage account appropriate.

6. Sharing photographs and personal information

Once something is shared online, it can be copied, saved, forwarded or shared more widely than originally intended.

Children should understand the importance of protecting their personal information.

Teach your child never to share:

• Their full name and home address with strangers.

• Their school name or uniform details publicly.

• Their telephone number.

• Passwords or login details.

• Their live location.

• Photographs that reveal private information.

Encourage children to think carefully before posting or sharing anything.

A useful question to ask is:

"Would I be happy for my family, teachers or future employers to see this?"

Also remind children never to take, request or share intimate photographs. If this happens, they should tell a trusted adult immediately. They should not be blamed or shamed.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and keeping children safe online

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common part of everyday life. Children may already encounter AI through games, search engines, educational websites, smart speakers, chatbots and apps.

AI can be a useful tool for learning and creativity, but it also brings new risks that parents and carers need to understand.

What is AI?

Artificial intelligence is technology that allows computers to carry out tasks that usually require human intelligence.

For example, AI can:

• Answer questions and generate written responses.

• Create pictures, videos and music.

• Help with homework and research.

• Recognise voices and images.

• Make recommendations about what to watch or play.

• Power chatbots that appear to have conversations with people.

Some AI tools can produce very convincing information, even when that information is incorrect.

What is generative AI?

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that can create new content, including text, images, audio and videos.

Children might encounter tools that allow them to ask questions, create stories, generate pictures or have conversations with an AI chatbot.

Parents should be aware that some AI services are not designed for young children and have minimum age requirements, often 13 or older. Always check the individual service's terms and conditions. Do not assume that an AI chatbot is suitable for a primary-aged child simply because it is easy to access.

What are the risks of AI for children?

1. Inaccurate information

AI can sometimes provide incorrect or misleading answers while sounding very convincing. Children should learn not to believe everything AI tells them.

2. Inappropriate conversations

Some AI chatbots may produce content that is unsuitable for children, including frightening, sexual or harmful material.

3. AI-generated images and deepfakes

AI can create realistic images, videos and voices of people who have not actually said or done those things.

This can be used to embarrass, bully, impersonate or exploit someone. Images of children can also be manipulated without their permission.

4. Privacy and personal information

Some AI tools collect information that users enter into them. Children should never share their full name, address, school, passwords, photographs or other personal details with AI tools.

5. Emotional attachment

Some chatbots are designed to appear friendly, caring or human-like. Children may begin to believe that an AI chatbot is a real friend or someone they can trust.

It is important to explain that AI does not have human feelings and cannot replace a trusted adult, parent, teacher or real friendship.

6. Misinformation and manipulation

AI can generate convincing fake stories, messages, images and videos. Children need to understand that not everything they see or hear online is genuine.

How can parents keep children safe when using AI?

We recommend that parents and carers:

• Find out which AI tools your child is using.

• Check the minimum age requirements before allowing access.

• Avoid allowing unsupervised use of AI chatbots by young children.

• Use age-appropriate educational tools approved by school where applicable.

• Supervise AI use and discuss what your child is asking and receiving.

• Explain that AI can make mistakes and should not always be trusted.

• Teach children never to upload personal information or photographs.

• Encourage children to check information with a trusted adult or reliable source.

• Remind children never to use AI to create unkind, embarrassing or fake images of others.

• Make sure children understand that AI-generated images and videos may not be real.

Our key message about AI:

AI can be a helpful tool, but it is not a person, it is not always correct and it should never replace a trusted adult. Children should always ask for help if an AI interaction makes them feel worried, confused or uncomfortable.

Deepfakes and AI-generated images

A deepfake is an image, video or audio recording that has been manipulated or generated using AI to make something appear real when it is not.

For example, someone could use AI to make it look as though a child has said or done something they have never actually said or done.

Parents should:

• Be mindful of photographs of children shared publicly.

• Check privacy settings on social media accounts.

• Avoid sharing unnecessary identifying details alongside photographs.

• Talk to children about consent and respecting other people's images.

• Report fake or abusive content to the platform and seek safeguarding support if a child is targeted.

If a photograph of your child has been manipulated or used in a sexual or abusive way, report your concerns to the police and seek advice from CEOP. Do not forward or redistribute the material.

Further advice is available from CEOP Education for Parents and Carers.

Parental controls: making devices safer

Parental controls are an important part of keeping children safe online. They can help parents manage what children can access, who can contact them and how much time they spend using devices.

However, parental controls are not a replacement for supervision and regular conversations.

We recommend checking the settings on all devices your child uses, including those belonging to other family members.

Apple devices – iPhone and iPad

Use Apple's Screen Time and Family Sharing features to manage screen time, app downloads, content restrictions and communication.

Android devices

Google Family Link allows parents to supervise supported child accounts, manage apps, set screen-time limits and adjust content settings.

Windows and Xbox

Microsoft Family Safety provides tools to manage screen time, content and family accounts.

Home broadband

Most internet providers offer parental control settings that can help filter unsuitable websites and content across devices connected to your home network.

Contact your broadband provider to find out what protection is available.

We also recommend checking:

• YouTube Restricted Mode and supervised experiences.

• Google SafeSearch.

• Privacy settings on games and apps.

• In-game communication and purchasing settings.

• Streaming service age restrictions and child profiles.

• Location-sharing settings on mobile devices.

Remember that parental controls differ between devices and platforms. Some controls may not work outside your home Wi-Fi or when children use mobile data.

Screen time and children's wellbeing

Technology can be a positive part of family life, but it is important to establish healthy routines.

There is no single screen-time limit that is appropriate for every child. Consider your child's age, development, sleep, physical activity, schoolwork and emotional wellbeing.

We encourage parents and carers to:

• Agree consistent screen-time routines.

• Make time for outdoor activities, exercise and imaginative play.

• Encourage children to take regular breaks from screens.

• Avoid screens during family meals where possible.

• Establish device-free time before bedtime.

• Keep phones, tablets and games out of bedrooms overnight where possible.

• Make sure online activities do not replace sleep, friendships or family time.

Look out for changes in your child's behaviour, sleep, mood or willingness to take part in activities they previously enjoyed.

If you are concerned about the impact of screen use on your child's wellbeing, speak to your child's teacher or seek appropriate health advice.

What should I do if something goes wrong online?

It is important that children feel confident telling an adult when something has happened online.

If your child tells you about something upsetting, try to remain calm. Listen carefully, reassure them and thank them for telling you.

If your child experiences something worrying online:

1. Listen to your child without blaming or judging them.

2. Reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you.

3. Stop further contact with the person involved where appropriate.

4. Use the platform's blocking and reporting tools.

5. Keep relevant evidence, such as usernames, dates, messages and web addresses, where safe and appropriate.

6. Contact school if another pupil is involved or the incident affects your child's safety or wellbeing.

7. Report serious concerns to the appropriate authorities.

If you believe your child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Where can I report online concerns?

Concern	Where to get help
Online grooming or sexual exploitation	CEOP Safety Centre
Child abuse or safeguarding concerns	Local authority children's social care or police
Sexual images of a child	Childline Report Remove
Harmful online content	Report Harmful Content
Inappropriate or abusive online material	Internet Watch Foundation
Advice about keeping children safe	NSPCC Online Safety

If a child has been pressured into sharing an intimate image, remember that they need support, not punishment. Do not download, forward or circulate the image. Seek advice from the safeguarding professionals and appropriate reporting services.

How we teach online safety at school

Online safety is an important part of our safeguarding responsibilities and our curriculum.

We aim to help pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly.

Children are taught Online Safety supported by Project Evolve resources. Through our curriculum and wider safeguarding provision, pupils are supported to understand:

• How to use the internet safely and responsibly.

• How to recognise safe and unsafe online behaviour.

• Why personal information should be protected.

• How to communicate respectfully online.

• What cyberbullying is and how to respond.

• How to recognise misleading information.

• Why online content is not always accurate or trustworthy.

• How to report concerns and seek help.

• The benefits and risks associated with artificial intelligence.

• How to respect other people's privacy, images and digital identities.

We encourage pupils to follow our simple online safety rules:

Our SMART online safety rules

S

SAFE

Keep personal information private. Never share passwords, addresses or telephone numbers with strangers.

M

MEETING

Never arrange to meet someone you have only spoken to online.

A

ACCEPTING

Think carefully before opening messages, links, downloads or attachments from people you do not know.

R

RELIABLE

Not everything online is true. Check information with a trusted adult.

T

TELL

Tell a trusted adult if anything online makes you feel worried, uncomfortable or upset.

Useful websites for parents and carers

We have included a selection of trusted organisations offering practical advice, resources and support for families.

Helpful websites for parents and carers: 

Helpful websites that young people can access:

Activities that parents can complete with children at home: 

Age restrictions:

If you allow your child access to these apps, at Holy Cross we strongly advise you to:

• Please ensure that, if your child is communicating with others, they are considerate in the way in which they express themselves and avoid language that may upset others.
• Supervise your child’s activities online but particularly on social media and ensure their privacy settings on switched on the highest level. - See documents below.
• Make sure you are aware of what your child is posting and who they are friends with on these accounts.
• Delete apps or confiscate devices if your child is using them inappropriately.
• Ensure that children do not have unsupervised access to mobile phones, tablets etc. particularly at night when settling to sleep.

Setting up parental controls: 

What parents need to know guides:

Tiktok is an app that is becoming increasingly popular with children. But is it safe for our children to use? iTunes rate the app as +13. This is due to the adult content, dangerous pranks and stunts, self-harm themes in some videos, bullying, live streaming interactivity and the social side of the app. If you allow your child to use TikTok, the privacy settings should be set to the highest level. Use of this app may lead to bullying, possible sharing of their videos beyond their friends and inappropriate comments, random friend requests, and explicit language and adult themes. Please read the documents below for more information.

E-Safety Games that you can play at home with your child!

Extra information