PEGI age ratings

Below is a document which can give you further information about the ratings for the most popular video games, with information on why some are only suitable for children over a certain age. 

Keeping safe online during lockdown

E-safety Day 2020

A big thank you to all the parents who came to learn more about internet safety and a huge well done to the children, who displayed their amazing knowledge of how to stay safe online.

ICT Surveys 

Below are a range of surveys to allow you and your child to feed back to the school about how computers and technology are used in your home. This will give us a better idea about what to focus future internet safety days on and address any concerns you may have.

When completed, please print and return to the office or directly to Mr. Youdale.

Extra E-Safety Support

For further support with Online Safety follow this link.

https://onlinecompass.org.uk/

Online Compass is a tool that shows you what you need to do to make the use of technology safer for your family. Once you rate where you are, it gives you advice on how to improve and what you need to do to have a safer internet.

Internet Safety

In today's world there are lots of different ways for your children to contact their friends and families. It is even getting easier and easier to share the thing they like over the internet and enjoy the company of friends in a virtual world while sat at home. But even though the internet is an amazing thing, it is important that it is understood in order for it to be used appropriately and responsibly. Below are a list of things to be aware of and list of useful websites to help give information and train your family to be safe and responsible internet users.

Games consoles

Games consoles are a popular way for your children to engage with other through online multiplayer. Although these games allow your child to chat with friends while playing along side them in most multiplayer games there are many people they do not know playing too. It is important that your child knows about friends lists and not to talk to or give personal information to anyone they do not know. However, it is not just with online games that your child is at risk, it is important that you look at the age displayed on the box. Just like with films this is a legal requirement and as such your child should not engage with any content that displays an age above that of your child.

For more info on PEGI and video games rating systems click the link:

http://parentinfo.org/article/pegi-games-ratings-explained

In addition to this it is important to note that all modern consoles have internet browsers built in and the ability to send other players messages as well as the ability to join social groups to discuss current and favourite topics and games. All these things are great if used correctly.

It is important however to be aware that these features can also be used for cyber bullying and the expressing of inappropriate views and language which your child should not be subjected to. It is therefore important to keep control of these features by using the Parental Control features present on all modern consoles.

For more information and how to set up parental controls click the link:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/video-games-how-to-setup-parental-controls-version-1431990207/

It is likely that your child either has or has access to some sort of mobile technology in your house (phone, tablet etc...). These are great ways to keep your child entertained and even educated with a range of brilliant and engaging games and resources. But, once again, it is important that they are used appropriately and monitored carefully. Messaging is a great way to stay in contact with friends but your child must know that they should only give their number to people who they know and trust. Apps, like video games, have an age rating which should be adhered to if your child is to be safe from inappropriate content (don't judge a game or app based on what it looks like in the pictures).

For more information click the link: www.commonsensemedia.org

Social Media

The line on social media is a simple one. No child at a primary age (4 - 11) should have a social media account with Facebook, Instagram or Twitter or any other social media of this type. It is illegal for a child under 13 to use these social media sites.

For more information on this subject click the link:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-35524429

Also available is a list of child friendly social media sites:

https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/news-blogs/social-media-networks-made-for-kids/

Useful Links:

for information on the apps and games your children play:

https://www.net-aware.org.uk/

For more information on how to use the internet safely see any and all of the links below, they are all useful:

www.internetmatters.org

For a whole range of resources on online safety

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/

https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

For ideas for how to discover the online world safely for parents and children

www.betterinternetforkids.eu/web/portal/resources

For easy to use videos and guides on keeping safe online

www.saferinternet.org.uk

For a video on the dangers of nude selfies:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjV0lKYpakk

For a video aimed at KS1 children about sending inappropriate images:

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=i+saw+your+willy&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB775GB775&oq=i+saw+your&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.3049j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

For a video about the dangers of talking to people you don't know online:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwcL-VP3FYc