At St Peter’s, we know that technology offers wonderful opportunities for children to learn, connect and explore. Alongside these benefits, it is important that families stay informed about the latest online safety risks and the tools available to help keep children safe. Our November Online Safety Newsletter highlights several key areas that parents and carers may wish to discuss at home.
This month’s edition focuses on online grooming, helping families understand how adults can misuse online platforms to build inappropriate relationships with children. The newsletter shares practical advice, including encouraging regular conversations about online activity, using parental controls and reminding children that people online may not always be who they claim to be.
Families will also find important information about WhatsApp Channels and parental controls. While WhatsApp offers safety features for younger users and teenagers, it is worth being aware that some public channels may contain content that is not suitable for children. The newsletter explains the safeguards available and highlights the importance of age-appropriate settings.
Other topics include:
- Understanding COM Networks and the risks associated with harmful online communities.
- Recognising and discussing “rage bait”, online content designed to provoke strong emotional reactions and increase engagement.
- New information about Spotify parental controls, which can help families manage content and features for younger users.
As always, our aim is to work in partnership with parents and carers to ensure children can enjoy the benefits of technology safely and confidently. These conversations at home play a vital role in helping children make positive choices online.
This links closely to our school vision of Love, Learn, Shine. By supporting children to use technology responsibly, we help them show care and respect for themselves and others, continue learning safely in a digital world, and shine as confident, informed young citizens.
We encourage all families to take a few moments to read the latest and discuss the key messages together.
