At St Boniface we are committed to ensuring our pupils are safe in school and online.

By giving pupils the knowledge to safeguard themselves and their personal information, we are empowering them with a vital life skill.

What is E-Safety?

E-safety is the safe use of information systems and electronic communications, including the internet, mobile phones and games consoles. It is important that children and young people understand the benefits, risks and responsibilities of using information technology.

• E-safety concerns safeguarding children and young people in the digital world.
• E-safety emphasises learning to understand and use new technologies positively.
• E-safety is less about restrictions and more about education about the risks as well as the benefits so we can feel confident online.
• E-safety is concerned with supporting children and young people to develop safer online behaviours both in and out of school.

E-safety forms part of our curriculum and pupils are regularly reminded of how to stay safe online.

If you have any concerns, speak to any member of the school's safeguarding team.

Using the Internet safely at home

Whilst many Internet Service Providers offer filtering systems to help you safeguard your child at home, it remains surprisingly easy for children to access inappropriate material including unsuitable texts, images and movies. Parents/guardians are advised to set the security levels within Internet browsers with this in mind.

Locating the device to access the Internet in a family area will enable you to supervise children as they use the Internet. However, don’t deny your child the opportunity to learn from the wide variety of material and games available on the Internet. Instead, set some simple rules for keeping them safe and make sure they understand the importance of these rules.

Simple, suggested rules for keeping your child safe

• Ask your permission before they use the Internet
• Only use websites you have chosen together or a child-friendly search engine
• Only email people they know (perhaps an address book would be useful)
• Ask permission before opening an email sent by someone they don’t know
• Do not use Internet chat rooms
• Do not use their real name when using games on the Internet (perhaps encourage them to create a suitable nickname)
• Never give out a home address or personal contact details
• Never tell someone where they go to school
• Never send an image of themselves, their home or school
• Never arrange to meet someone they have ‘met’ on the Internet
• Only use a webcam with people they know
• Ask them to tell you immediately if they see anything they are unhappy with.

Using these rules

Go through the rules with your child and ensure they understand what you suggest. It is also a good idea to regularly check the Internet sites your child is visiting, e.g. by clicking on History and Favourites. Please reassure your child that you want to keep them safe rather than take Internet access away from them.

Our E-safety policy is attached along with some additional resources to help you to make informed choices at home. We particularly recommend the following sites:

• Know It All Free e-safety resources for teachers and parents
• Think U Know Guide to internet safety and safe surfing for young people.
• CEOP News and Articles about e-safety