Jul
1st
Staying Safe Online This Summer 🌞📱
At St Peter’s, we are committed to helping every child Love, Learn and Shine both in the classroom and beyond—and that includes staying safe in the digital world. As we head into the summer holidays, many children will naturally spend more time online, making it an ideal moment to revisit how we can support them to use technology safely and responsibly.
Understanding WhatsApp and Social Media 💬
We know that messaging apps like WhatsApp are popular; however, they can present challenges for primary-aged children. Reports often highlight situations where children may feel upset by messages, excluded from group chats, or unsure how to respond to peer pressure online.
It’s important to remember:
- WhatsApp users should be at least 13 years old
- Messages in group chats can be seen by everyone in the group—even people your child may not know
- Children may encounter content that is not appropriate for their age
As a school, we encourage parents to reflect on whether their child is ready for such platforms, particularly in terms of managing friendships, emotions and online behaviour. Supporting children to think before they message and to speak to a trusted adult if something doesn’t feel right is key.
Big Changes Ahead 📢
There are also national developments to be aware of. The government has announced plans for social media platforms to be restricted for under-16s from next spring.
These changes aim to:
- Protect children from inappropriate content
- Reduce interactions with strangers
- Support healthier screen use
This emphasises the growing recognition that children need careful guidance as they navigate the online world.
The Risks of Livestreaming 🎥
Livestreaming is another area to be aware of. This is when videos are broadcast live over the internet and can be watched instantly by others.
While this can be engaging, it carries risks:
- Content cannot easily be filtered in real time
- Children might hear or see something unsuitable
Helping children understand these risks and ensuring they only use age-appropriate platforms is an important step in keeping them safe.
Practical Ways to Support Your Child ✅
There are many positive actions families can take to support children online:
- ✅ Check privacy settings and parental controls on all devices and apps
- ✅ Talk regularly about who they are communicating with
- ✅ Encourage openness—remind children they can always come to you
- ✅ Teach them how to block and report users
- ✅ Discuss group chats and remind them they can leave at any time
Taking an interest in your child’s online activity, just as you would their learning or hobbies, helps build trust and confidence.
Balancing Screen Time Over the Summer ⏳
With longer days and fewer routines during the holidays, it’s natural for screen time to increase. Creating a healthy balance is key:
- Build in time for outdoor play, reading and family activities
- Set clear expectations around device use
- Keep devices in shared spaces where possible
By encouraging balance, we help children develop healthy habits that will support their wellbeing and learning.
Supporting Transitions 🌱
For our older children preparing to move to secondary school, this is also a time of increased independence—online and offline. Open conversations now will help them build the confidence and responsibility they need as they take their next steps.
Working Together to Help Children Shine 💛
Online safety is most effective when school and home work together. By staying informed, having regular conversations and setting clear expectations, we can help every child feel safe, confident and ready to thrive.
At St Peter’s, we believe that when children are supported to make positive choices, they truly Love, Learn and Shine—both online and beyond.
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Posted In Safeguarding and Wellbeing
