Online Safety
Nurturing minds, Filling Hearts, Flourishing together
The online world offers children wonderful opportunities to learn, create, play and communicate, but we also recognise that it can present risks. At Trinity St Mary’s, online safety is an important part of safeguarding. We teach children how to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully, and we work in partnership with parents and carers to help children develop healthy and positive online habits.
Online safety works best when school and home work together.
What do we teach children?
Through our curriculum and wider safeguarding work, children learn about:
- Keeping personal information private
- Creating strong passwords and protecting accounts
- Being kind and respectful online
- Cyberbullying and how to get help
- Safe and responsible use of games and apps
- Talking to people online and understanding that people may not always be who they say they are
- Recognising inappropriate or upsetting content
- Asking permission before sharing photographs or information about other people
- Healthy screen-time habits
- Recognising scams, misleading information and advertising
- Age restrictions on apps, games and social media
- Understanding how information shared online can leave a digital footprint
- Age-appropriate learning about AI, including that AI-generated information and images may not always be accurate or real
Five things families can do at home
1. Talk regularly. Ask your child what they enjoy doing online, which games they play, who they communicate with and what they would do if something made them uncomfortable.
2. Explore together. Take an interest in the games, websites and apps your child uses rather than waiting until something goes wrong.
3. Agree family rules. Decide together when and where devices can be used. You might consider device-free mealtimes and keeping devices out of bedrooms overnight.
4. Use parental controls. Parental controls can help families manage content, purchases, communication and screen time across broadband, devices, games and individual apps. NSPCC
5. Make sure your child knows they can tell you. Children should know that if something happens online that worries, frightens or embarrasses them, they can talk to a trusted adult and will be helped.
Please remember...
If you are concerned about the welfare or safety of a child, please contact our safeguarding team:
This email is monitored every day, including during school holidays, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or your concern is urgent, do not wait for a response from school.
Please contact:
Emergency Services: 999
Wandsworth Children’s Services: 020 8871 6622