Online Safety Resources – Internet Matters

Your child and you

Helping parents keep their children safe online

social media

Over the past year we have seen more and more people accessing services through the internet and spend more time online either for work, school or socialising.

The three Safeguarding Children Boards across Bedfordshire are working together to raise awareness amongst children, young people and their parents about staying safe online. We will be producing a bulletin on a quarterly basis to provide parents, professionals and young people with advice, guidance and top tips for staying safe on-line. Information will be taken from InternetMatters.org.

This is our second e-bulletin aimed at 6-10 year olds.

Through the links below you can get expert support and practical tips to help children benefit from connected technology and using the internet safely and smartly.


Online Safety Guide for children aged 6-10

As internet use grows, learn about the steps you can make to establish positive behaviour and how you can teach your children to stay safe.

A suggested checklist

This is a suggested checklist for things you can do to support children online, from Internet Matters:

  • Agree boundaries
  • Explore together
  • Stay in control – use parental controls
  • Use Airplane mode
  • Stay involved
  • Talk to siblings
  • Search safely
  • Check if it’s suitable

Balancing Screen Time

Find simple tips to put balance and purpose behind screen time to help children benefit from their screen use. Advice is available here.

Netaware

Netaware have reviewed the most popular apps, games and social media sites your kids are using – there’s more information here.

Tips for Grandparents

A recent study found that 4 in 10 grandparents help-out with childcare in what has been dubbed ‘granannying’.

To help grandparents get to grips with life online, Internet Matters have created a new Grandparents Guide to Online Safety offering practical advice to keep kids safe.


Training for professionals

Safeguarding Bedfordshire is the multi-agency training provider for the Safeguarding Boards in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton. Training is aimed at those working or volunteering with children, young people and/or adults across Bedfordshire.

Safeguarding Children in the Digital Age (Virtual Classroom)

This half day workshop will provide staff who work with children and young people (aged 8 or over) with an understanding of the key risks posed by the use of digital technologies, such as internet access, mobile phones and digital photography, and strategies that can be put in place to manage these risks.

The session will also look at the responsibility upon staff to act as positive role models regarding the use of digital technology. Click here for more details.

eSafety (FREE eLearning)

This course describes the various forms of abuse and danger caused by the use of technology and the internet and gives detailed information on how to counter its effects. You will be able to identify children at risk, what forms online abuse takes and how to recognise them, and information on how to help and protect children. Click here for details of our full eLearning offer, and how to access.

*These links were accessed in October 2021


News from the training team

On 6 October we ran a trial version of Digital Technology and Safeguarding Young Children. This online workshop was delivered by The Education People and attended by 12 local practitioners from a range of settings across Bedfordshire.

We aimed the workshop at those working with early years, however feedback suggests we should open it up to those working with 0-11’s too:

“This session was so timely. As a DSL, it has really helped embed our responsibilities, especially with the updates to Keeping Children Safe in Education.”

Themes covered included online safety, image generation and sharing, hacking, chatrooms, bullying and working with families. Case studies gave the opportunity to practice responses to safeguarding situations. The trainer also shared a range of resources and this clip to remind us of the positives of living in a digital age.

*These links were accessed in October 2021

To find out more visit Safeguarding Bedfordshire