Apr
1st
Staying Safe Online: Supporting Our Children Together
At St Peter’s CE Primary School, the safety and wellbeing of our children is always our highest priority. As part of our commitment to helping every child Love, Learn and Shine, we work closely with families to support children in navigating the online world safely, confidently and responsibly. Our April Online Safety Newsletter highlights several important and timely themes that we would like to share with parents and carers.
🎮 Understanding Game Age Ratings
Many games appear colourful and child‑friendly, but age ratings exist for a reason. Ratings such as PEGI help families understand whether a game is suitable for their child’s age and maturity.
Age ratings consider:
- Violence or frightening content
- Bad language
- In‑game communication
- In‑app purchases
We strongly encourage parents to:
- Check age ratings before allowing children to play a game
- Read reviews and content descriptors
- Set up parental controls on consoles, apps and devices
Taking time to explain decisions to children helps them understand boundaries and make safer choices as they grow.
🤖 AI, Deepfakes and Online Awareness
Artificial intelligence (AI) brings exciting opportunities for learning, but it also introduces new risks when misused. The newsletter highlights a national campaign led by Essex Police, alongside BT and EE, focusing on raising awareness of deepfake technology and how it can be used to manipulate images or videos.
Parents are encouraged to:
- Talk openly with children about what they see online
- Reassure children that they can always speak to a trusted adult
- Seek advice quickly if something doesn’t feel right
These conversations help children develop critical thinking and resilience online.
📱 Social Media, Messaging Apps and New Features
Some platforms are introducing new parent‑managed account options for under‑13s, including greater control over who can contact children and who can add them to group chats.
While these tools may be helpful, it is important to remember:
- Not all platforms are appropriate for primary‑age children
- Group chats can still present challenges
- Parental supervision and regular conversations remain essential
Technology tools work best when combined with strong relationships and open communication.
🧠Supporting Children’s Thinking and Values Online
The newsletter also reminds us of the importance of:
- Helping children think critically about what they see and hear online
- Having age‑appropriate conversations about fairness, respect and equality
- Guiding children to use AI tools appropriately for learning, not to replace their own thinking
At St Peter’s, these discussions align closely with our Christian vision and values, ensuring children are nurtured academically, socially and spiritually.
Read the full newsletter here –
Posted In Safeguarding and Wellbeing
