Online Safety

At The Vine Christian School, we understand the responsibility to educate our students on online safety issues (e-safety); teaching them the appropriate behaviours and critical thinking skills to enable them to remain both safe and legal when using the internet and related technologies, in and beyond the context of the classroom.

Online safety is a key part of safeguarding so that young people do not see the internet as a separate part of their lives. The school will ensure that online safety is delivered as part of the curriculum on a regular basis.

Internet, mobile and digital technologies in the 21st Century are essential resources to support learning and teaching, as well as playing an important role in the everyday lives of children, young people, and adults. Consequently, schools need to build in the use of these technologies to arm our young people with the skills to access life-long learning and employment.

Internet, mobile and digital technologies cover a wide range of resources including web-based and mobile learning. It is also important to recognise the constant and fast paced evolution of internet, mobile and digital technologies within our society. Currently the internet technologies children and young people are using include:

1. Websites.
2. Apps.
3. Email, Instant Messaging, and chat rooms.
4. Social Media, including Facebook and Twitter.
5. Mobile/ Smart phones with text, video and/ or web functionality.
6. Other mobile devices including tablets and gaming devices.
7. Online Games.
8. Learning Platforms and Virtual Learning Environments.
9. Blogs and Wikis.
10. Podcasting.
11. Video sharing.
12. Downloading.
13. On demand TV and video, movies, and radio / Smart TVs.

Whilst exciting and beneficial both in and out of the context of education, much internet, mobile and digital technologies, particularly web-based resources, are not consistently policed. All users need to be aware of the range of risks associated with the use of these technologies and that some have minimum age requirements (13 years in most cases).

All children enjoy using the internet, and it can be a fantastic learning tool for everyone – if used safely.