Hamstreet Primary Academy

Online Safety

Helping children enjoy the online world safely

The internet offers wonderful opportunities to learn, play, create and connect. Helping children stay safe online is an important part of safeguarding, and something we can work on together at school and at home.

This page provides practical advice for families and explains where to get help if something online causes concern.

You do not need to be a technology expert. Regular conversations and knowing how to get help make a real difference.

A message for children

If something online makes you feel worried, uncomfortable or upset, tell an adult you trust. This could be someone at home or a member of staff at school.

  • Stop watching or chatting if something does not feel right.
  • Keep passwords and personal information private.
  • Ask a trusted adult before accepting requests, buying something or sharing photographs.
  • Be kind online, just as you would be in person.

You can ask for help even if you clicked something by mistake or broke a rule. If the first adult you tell cannot help, keep telling until someone does.

Simple steps for families

Talk and explore together

Ask your child about the games, videos and apps they enjoy. Spend time using them together and talk about what they would do if something went wrong.

Listen calmly when they tell you about a problem. Reassure them that asking for help is the right thing to do.

Check settings and age suitability

Use parental controls on devices, home broadband, apps and games. Review privacy settings, location sharing, chat features and spending controls.

Check age ratings and minimum ages. Controls can reduce risks, but they cannot replace supervision and conversation.

Make gaming safer

Check who can contact your child, whether voice or text chat is enabled and whether they can make purchases.

Explain that someone online may not be who they say they are. Children should tell a trusted adult about requests for personal details, photographs, secrets or private chats.

Agree family routines

Agree when and where devices can be used, with time for sleep, exercise and activities away from screens.

For younger children, use devices in shared spaces where an adult can offer support. Review your arrangements as your child grows.

Protect personal information

Help children understand why they should keep their address, school, location and passwords private.

Talk about asking permission before sharing pictures of other people. Use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-step verification where available.

Think before trusting or sharing

Explain that videos, messages and images can be misleading or created using artificial intelligence. Something being popular does not make it true or safe.

Encourage children to check with a trusted adult before following online challenges, opening unexpected links or sharing information.

Worried about something online?

If an online incident affects your child’s safety or wellbeing, please contact the school and ask to speak to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead . This includes concerns that happen outside school.

Telephone: 01233 732577

Email: enquiries@ham-street.org.uk

For an urgent concern during the school day, please telephone. School emails are not monitored continuously or outside school hours.

Safeguarding contacts and out-of-hours help

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not wait for a response from school.

If something has gone wrong

  • Listen and reassure: thank your child for telling you and help them feel supported.
  • Record useful details: note usernames, website addresses and when the incident happened. Keep relevant messages where it is safe to do so.
  • Do not copy or share sexual images of children: do not screenshot, download or forward them. Seek advice from the police or CEOP.
  • Report and block: use the app or platform’s reporting tools and block unwanted contact. Ask for advice if you are unsure how to preserve relevant evidence.
  • Tell school: let our safeguarding team know if your child needs support or other children may be affected.

CEOP Safety Centre

Report concerns about online sexual abuse or grooming, including worrying sexual communication with a child.

Get advice or make a report to CEOP

For bullying and other online problems, contact school and use the platform’s reporting tools.

Report Harmful Content

Advice on reporting harmful online content, with support for some unresolved reports made to online platforms.

Get help reporting harmful content

The reporting service is for people aged over 13. Parents and carers can seek advice for younger children.