St John’s CE Academy
Digital & Online Safety
Online Safety & Digital Wellbeing
Technology is an important part of children’s lives. It can support learning, creativity, communication and independence, but it also brings risks that families and schools need to navigate together. At St John’s CE Academy, we want pupils to use technology in ways that are safe, responsible, balanced and positive.
We teach online safety through our curriculum, wider pastoral support and regular communication with families. Our aim is not simply to block risks, but to help children and young people build the knowledge, judgement and habits they need to thrive in a digital world. This reflects current guidance, which stresses that online safety is part of safeguarding and should include education, support, filtering, monitoring and partnership with parents.
Our approach to online safety
At St John’s, online safety is part of our wider safeguarding approach. We want pupils to learn how to use technology safely, respectfully and with increasing independence as they grow older.
Through our curriculum and pastoral work, we help pupils to:
- stay safe online
- protect personal information
- communicate respectfully
- recognise risk and know how to report concerns
- think critically about what they see online
- develop healthy digital habits
Risks children may face online
The online world offers many benefits, but there are also risks that children and young people may encounter. These can include:
- harmful, inappropriate or misleading content
- cyberbullying
- scams, fraud and phishing
- unsafe contact from strangers
- pressure to share personal information or images
- unsuitable games, apps or social media content
- excessive screen use affecting sleep, mood or learning
- misinformation and disinformation
- unhealthy online interactions or peer pressure
Supporting healthy screen use
There is no single perfect amount of screen time for every child. What matters most is the quality, purpose and balance of screen use within everyday life.
Healthy digital habits include making sure screen use does not regularly replace:
- sleep
- exercise
- time outdoors
- reading
- conversation
- hobbies and interests
- family time
Children should be encouraged to use technology for learning, creativity, communication and enjoyment, while also being supported to recognise when they need breaks and balance.
Social media, apps and algorithms
Many apps, games and platforms personalise what users see. This is often shaped by what users watch, like, follow, share or spend time viewing. While this can make online experiences feel engaging, it can also increase exposure to unhelpful, misleading or upsetting content.
Parents and carers can help by:
- checking age ratings before allowing access
- using privacy settings and parental controls
- reviewing app permissions
- talking regularly about what children are using
- encouraging children to come to a trusted adult if something worries them
- keeping online activity age-appropriate and balanced
Current national guidance also highlights the importance of helping children understand newer technologies, including AI tools and how digital platforms shape what they see online.
Misinformation and critical thinking
Not everything online is true, accurate or trustworthy. Part of staying safe online is learning how to question what we see.
We encourage pupils and families to ask:
- Who created this?
- Can I trust the source?
- Is it reported elsewhere?
- Is it trying to make me react emotionally?
- Are the images real, altered or taken out of context?
Teaching children to pause, question and verify is an important part of digital literacy and online safety.
Cyberbullying
Bullying is never acceptable, including when it happens online. Cyberbullying may take place through social media, group chats, gaming platforms, messaging apps or image sharing.
If a child is experiencing cyberbullying, parents and carers should:
- stay calm and listen carefully
- reassure them that they have done the right thing by speaking up
- avoid encouraging them to respond
- save evidence, such as screenshots
- block and report the account where appropriate
- contact the school if support is needed
We take concerns about bullying seriously and will work with families to support pupils and address issues appropriately.
How parents and carers can help at home
Parents and carers do not need to be experts in technology to help keep children safe online. Some of the most effective steps are simple and consistent:
- talk regularly about online life
- agree age-appropriate boundaries
- use device settings and parental controls
- know which apps, games and platforms your child uses
- encourage children to speak up if something feels wrong
- model healthy and respectful use of technology at home
National guidance for parents consistently emphasises conversation, supervision, settings and ongoing interest in children’s digital lives.
Need support?
If you are worried about your child’s online safety or digital wellbeing, please contact the school. We are here to work with families and provide support where needed.
You may also find these organisations helpful:
- UK Safer Internet Centre
- NSPCC
- Childnet
- CEOP
These organisations provide trusted guidance for parents, carers and schools on a wide range of online safety issues.