Feniscowles Primary School
Online Safety
At Feniscowles Primary School, keeping children safe online is something we take very seriously. The internet, social media and online gaming offer huge benefits for children — from learning and creativity to staying connected with friends and family — but they also come with real risks, including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online grooming and challenges to children's mental health and wellbeing.
We work hard to ensure that pupils are taught how to stay safe online and are protected while using the internet during the school day, through our curriculum, filtering and monitoring systems, and pastoral support. However, research consistently shows that the majority of a child's internet use takes place outside of school hours — at home, on mobile devices, and often unsupervised. It's here that parents and carers play the single most important role in keeping children safe.
We understand that the online world moves quickly, and it isn't always easy for parents and carers to keep up with the latest apps, games, trends and risks that children are exposed to. Every child's online experience is different, and what's appropriate can vary hugely depending on their age and maturity.
This page has been designed to support you in your role by providing clear, practical, up-to-date information and resources. We would ask all parents and carers to take an active interest in what their children are doing online, to have open conversations with them about their experiences, and to remain vigilant to the signs that something may not be right. Working together, school and home can help every child benefit from the online world as safely as possible.
See the related pages on the right-hand side for further guidance, useful resources and advice on specific apps and platforms.
Talking to your child
Children are using tablets, phones, games and online services from an increasingly young age. The online world can provide excellent opportunities for learning, creativity and communication, but children also need help to understand how to use it safely.
One of the most important things parents and carers can do is talk regularly about what their child does online. Ask your child about the games, videos, apps and websites they enjoy. Encourage them to tell you if they ever see or experience something online that makes them feel worried, frightened, uncomfortable or confused.
Try to make this a normal conversation rather than something that only happens when something has gone wrong. A simple message for younger children is:
If anything online makes you feel worried, scared or sad, stop and tell a grown-up you trust.
Ages 4–7: Jessie & Friends
Jessie & Friends – CEOP Education
Jessie & Friends is produced by the National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team and is designed specifically for children aged 4–7.
Children can join Jessie, Tia and Mo as they learn about:
- watching videos
- sharing pictures
- playing games online
- chatting online
- recognising when something does not feel right
- telling a trusted grown-up when they are worried
The newer interactive Jessie & Friends website allows children and parents to complete online safety activities together and earn badges while practising the important Tell A Grown Up (TAG) message.
We recommend that parents explore the activities with their child rather than leaving younger children to complete them independently.
Ages 8–10: Band Runner and Play Like Share
For older primary children, CEOP's Band Runner website develops children's understanding of online safety through games and activities. It covers:
- online gaming
- being kind online
- sharing photos and videos
- chatting online
- protecting private information
- exploring the internet safely
Parents may also wish to watch the CEOP Play Like Share animations with their child. These help children recognise manipulative, pressurising or threatening behaviour online and understand when to seek help from a trusted adult.
Practical help for parents
You do not need to be a technology expert to help keep your child safe online. Regular conversations, appropriate supervision and sensible safety settings make a significant difference.
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Resource |
What it covers |
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Practical advice about devices, gaming, online content, parental controls and talking to children about online safety |
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Advice for parents about phones, social media, online games, livestreaming, artificial intelligence, harmful content and online wellbeing |
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Step-by-step advice about using controls on broadband, phones, tablets, games consoles and apps |
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Advice and age-appropriate resources produced by the National Crime Agency |
Five things parents can do
- Keep talking. Ask your child what they enjoy doing online and who they interact with.
- Use age-appropriate settings. Set up parental controls, privacy settings and content restrictions on devices, apps and your home internet.
- Check age restrictions. Games, apps and social media platforms have minimum ages for a reason.
- Keep younger children's online activity visible. Where possible, encourage children to use devices in shared family spaces.
- Make it safe to tell you when something goes wrong. Children may worry that their device will be taken away if they admit they have made a mistake. Reassure them that they can always come to you for help.
If something has happened online
If your child tells you about something worrying online:
- stay calm and listen
- reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you
- do not blame them
- keep relevant messages or evidence where appropriate
- use the platform's block and report functions
- seek further help if necessary
Parents and carers can also speak to the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead if they are worried about something their child has experienced online.
Where there are concerns about online sexual abuse or exploitation, advice and reporting are available through the CEOP Safety Centre.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.