The internet is a big part of children’s lives in the UK, with children spending 2 to 5 hours online daily (OFCOM, 2024). It helps them make friends, learn, and be creative. However, the internet also has risks, such as exposure to harmful content and online abuse. Schools have a duty to ensure children are protected and taught how to keep themselves safe. Filtering, monitoring and a robust online safety curriculum all form part of this duty.
However, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and while it is never possible to remove risk entirely, parents and carers also have a duty to ensure their children are kept safe and are able to manage risk effectively both in the real world and online. Our parental guide is designed to help families to develop safe and healthy internet use using the TECH approach. It is research-based, practical and trauma-informed.
Schools are expected to support families to understand and implement T.E.C.H Safeguarding Guidance
T - TALK - Encourage two-way communication with your child
E - EDUCATE - Stay informed about the latest online risks
C - CO-VIEW - Spend time online together
H - HOUSE RULES - Set clear rules for internet use
To read our Online Safety Policy, please click here.
Helpful Guides for Specific Online Risks:
Report sexual abuse images/videos here: Report online child sexual abuse imagery or 'child pornography' (iwf.org.uk)
Parental guidance of sexual image-sharing: Parent guide to sexual image-sharing among kids | Internet Matters
Resources to tackle online grooming: Online grooming resources | Internet Matters
Resources to protect children for radicalisation and grooming: Radicalisation of young children online | Internet Matters
Resources to support your child if they are being bullied: How can I help my child if they are being bullied? | NSPCC
Resources to tackle cyberbullying: Resources to deal with cyberbullying | Internet Matters
Guidance for online abuse: How to talk about harassment and abuse online | Internet Matters
Resources on racism and racial bullying: Racism and racial bullying | Childline
Supporting LGBTQ+ children online: Supporting LGBTQ children and young people online | Internet Matters
Resources to tackle harm from inappropriate content: Learn about inappropriate content online | Intern