Online Safety

 

 

At NMS we regard Online Safety as an essential part of learning for children growing up in today's society. It is a part of our duty to ensure students know how to use the internet and social media safely. We teach them how to do this through assemblies, tutorials, and through subject lessons. We safeguard children from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material whilst in school, and have appropriate filters and appropriate monitoring systems in place. We also have a clear policy on the use of mobile technology in school.

There are may sources of information and support for students and parents in this area such as:

• Parent Zone Experts in digital family life. They provide support and information to parents, children and schools, working globally to help families to navigate the internet safely and confidently.
• Parent Info Provides help and advice to families in a digital world
• Childnet International and Digizen Keeping parents and families up to date with online safety
• The Breck Foundation A self-funding charity, raising awareness of playing safe whilst using the internet 
• Think U Know An education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command.
• Internet Matters A not-for-profit organisation, backed by the UK’s most prominent internet industry players, BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media that has a simple purpose – to help keep children safe in the digital world.
• Big Deal?  A place for young people to find information and support related to gambling (including online), either for themselves or someone they care about.
• Who Targets Me? An app which looks at advertising on social media and the influence it can have on an individual
•  NSPCC A site with information to help you keep children safe whether they’re at home, out and about or online.

The Click CEOP button

The Click CEOP button is an asset of the National Crime Agency CEOP command. The CEOP command works to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation both online and offline.

The button has been developed for children and young people and is offered as a convenient and potentially less intimidating method of reporting these sensitive types of crime, alternative to face-to-face and telephone reporting to local police forces. It provides children and young people with access to an online mechanism for reporting known or suspected child sexual exploitation or child sexual abuse directly to CEOP.

 

Reporting to CEOP

CEOP takes all reports seriously and children of all ages can report through the Click CEOP button. The reporting form is designed to be as accessible as possible by children, but it is highly recommend that young children seek the support of an adult they trust to help them make a report.

All reports to CEOP are treated sensitively and are read and risk assessed by a CEOP Child Protection Adviser. It is not possible to report to CEOP anonymously as CEOP have a duty to ensure the child or young person is safe. Reports made outside of office hours are viewed by the NCA Control Centre. Urgent concerns about a child’s safety are referred by the Control Centre to local police. CEOP advise any urgent reports where a child is in immediate danger should be reported to the local police force where the child is located