Online Safety

Online Safety Lead: Mrs Dickens

Were you aware of these statistics?

24% of children aged 5 to 7 own a smartphone, while 76% use a tablet.
Among 5 to 7-year-olds, 65% use the internet to send messages or make voice/video calls.
50% of 5 to 7-year-olds watch live-streamed content online, an increase from 39% the previous year.
38% of 5 to 7-year-olds use social media sites or apps, despite many major social-media services having a minimum age of 13.
32% of parents of 5 to 7-year-olds reported that their child uses social media independently.
41% of 5 to 7-year-olds play games online, showing that online safety at primary age is about gaming as well as phones and social media.
For older primary-aged children, the risks become particularly important: 32% of children aged 8 to 17 said they had seen something worrying or nasty online during the previous 12 months.
More recent government reporting shows how early device ownership can begin: in 2025, almost one in five UK children aged 3 to 5 owned a mobile phone.
By ages 8 to 9, children spend an average of around two hours per day online, and this figure does not include time spent gaming.

The Safety of Young People is Everyone's Responsibility

At Green Oaks, keeping children safe is at the heart of everything we do, and this includes helping them to stay safe in the online world. Technology provides many exciting opportunities for learning, communication and creativity, but we recognise that children also need the knowledge, confidence and skills to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully.

Online safety is taught as an important part of our wider safeguarding curriculum. Through lessons, assemblies, discussions and our work with Pol-Ed, pupils learn about topics such as keeping personal information private, communicating respectfully online, recognising inappropriate or unsafe content, managing friendships and relationships online, and knowing what to do if something makes them feel worried or uncomfortable. We encourage children to think carefully about their online choices and understand that the same expectations for kindness, respect and behaviour apply both online and offline.

We also help children develop the confidence to speak to a trusted adult if they see or experience something online that concerns them. Our approach is not simply about restricting children's use of technology. We want pupils to become knowledgeable and responsible digital citizens who can recognise risks, make sensible decisions and ask for help when they need it.

#WakeUpWednesday - Free resources for trusted adults

Online Safety Awareness Guidance for Parents

Parental control software is often available via your ISP so that you can manage and control your child's computer and internet activity. Mobile phone operators also offer free parental control software services to limit the kind of content your children can access through the mobile network.
Parental control software doesn't replace the need for supervision and education when working on the internet.
Computers for children should be used in a shared space where parents can see the screen, if this is not possible, regular checking is good practise.
Take an interest in your children's internet use and discuss various issues relating to the internet.
Be aware of the various age limits on games and social networking sites. These are there for a reason – they safeguard your children against inappropriate content.
Have discussions about the care needed when their children meet online "friends". Reiterate the message about only talking to people they know. Echo the message from school and remind your children not to give out any personal details nor those of family and friends, even to people they know.
Encourage your children to tell them you if anything online makes them feel uncomfortable.
Make your child aware of the dangers of meeting someone they have only met online. Think stranger danger!
Be confident that you are in control and that you have every right to check on your children's online activities as well as their mobile usage.
Be mindful of the amount of screen time your children are exposed to.
Although being online is fun, encourage offline activities. Socialising with friends and taking part in physical activities is important for developing social skills.

We take online safety seriously, to ensure the safety of young people around us.

You can find out more about how children use social media, the apps they use, the risks they face, how to use privacy settings, and advice and tips about how to talk to children about online safety at:

The UK Safer Internet Centre website