How We Teach Online Safety at The Bridge School
At The Bridge School, online safety is an important part of our curriculum and wider safeguarding provision. We recognise that technology plays a significant role in the lives of many children and young people, and we are committed to helping pupils develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to stay safe online.
Online safety is taught throughout the year and is embedded across our curriculum rather than being limited to a single lesson or event. This helps pupils to develop their understanding gradually, revisit key messages regularly and apply their learning in a range of real-life situations.
Pupils learn about online safety through:
- Dedicated PSHE lessons
- Our safeguarding curriculum
- Computing and technology-based learning
- Assemblies and themed awareness events
- Annual Safer Internet Day activities
- Online Safety Week
- Targeted teaching in response to emerging online risks
- Individualised teaching and support matched to pupils’ needs, interests and level of understanding
We understand that children and young people with SEND may require additional support to understand online risks and develop safe digital habits. For this reason, learning is carefully adapted and may include visual supports, social stories, role play, video modelling, repetition of key messages and personalised interventions where appropriate.
Online safety learning is designed to build progressively as pupils move through the school. Key concepts are revisited regularly so that children can develop a deeper understanding over time.
Wake Up Wednesday – Supporting Online Safety at Home
At The Bridge School, we recognise the importance of helping our children stay safe online. We regularly share Wake Up Wednesday guides from the National College to support parents and carers in navigating the ever-changing digital world.
These easy-to-read guides offer practical advice on popular apps, games, social media, screen time, online risks and emerging trends.
We understand that our children have a wide range of needs and abilities, and some may require additional support to access technology safely. Our aim is to help families make informed choices that are right for their child.
Look out for our weekly Wake Up Wednesday posts on ClassDojo or explore the resources below.
Wake Up Wednesday – National College
Together, we can help our children enjoy technology safely and confidently.
Working Together with Families
We believe that online safety is most effective when schools and families work together. Alongside teaching pupils in school, we provide parents and carers with information, resources and guidance to help support safe online experiences at home.
We regularly share online safety updates, signpost families to trusted organisations and promote national events such as Safer Internet Day. Parents and carers can also access the range of resources linked below for further information and support.
By working together, we can help our children and young people develop the confidence, knowledge and skills needed to enjoy the benefits of technology safely and responsibly.
Worried About Something Online?
The internet can be a positive place for learning, communication and enjoyment, but sometimes children and young people may encounter content, messages or situations that make them feel worried, upset or unsafe.
At The Bridge School, we encourage all pupils to speak to a trusted adult if something online does not feel right. We also encourage parents and carers to contact the school if they have any concerns about their child’s online experiences so that we can offer advice and support.
You should seek support if your child:
- Is experiencing cyberbullying, online harassment or unkind behaviour from others online.
- Receives upsetting, threatening or inappropriate messages.
- Has been contacted by someone they do not know.
- Has shared personal information online.
- Has seen inappropriate content.
- Feels pressured to do something online that makes them uncomfortable.
- Is worried about something that has happened whilst gaming, using social media or communicating online.
Where Can I Get Help?
There are a number of trusted organisations that can provide advice, guidance and support:
- CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command) – Report concerns about online exploitation, grooming or inappropriate contact from an adult.
- Report Harmful Content – Provides support for reporting harmful online content.
- Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) – Report criminal or illegal online images.
- NSPCC – Advice and support for children, young people and families.
- Childline – Confidential support for young people who are worried about anything they have experienced online.
Talking to Your Child
Regular conversations are one of the most effective ways to keep children safe online. Encourage your child to talk openly about the games they play, the websites they visit and the people they communicate with online. Reassure them that they can always come to you for help and that they will not get into trouble for reporting something that worries them.
By working together, we can help ensure that all children and young people enjoy the benefits of technology safely and confidently.
Social Media and Age Restrictions
Many social media platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13 years old, including Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Facebook. These age restrictions are in place to help protect children from content, interactions and features that may not be suitable for younger users.
Before allowing your child to access social media, it is important to consider their individual level of understanding, communication skills and ability to recognise potential online risks. Children and young people with SEND may require additional supervision and support to help them use social media safely and responsibly.
We encourage parents and carers to regularly monitor their child’s online activity, discuss who they are communicating with and ensure privacy and safety settings are appropriately enabled. Open and ongoing conversations about online friendships, personal information and respectful behaviour can help children develop positive and safe social media habits.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Online Safety
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common part of everyday life and can be found in search engines, social media platforms, games, apps and online chat tools. Whilst AI can offer exciting opportunities for learning and creativity, it is important that children and young people understand that not everything they see online is always real or accurate.
Some images, videos, messages and information can now be created using AI, making it difficult to know whether content is genuine. We encourage parents and carers to talk regularly with their child about what they see online and to remind them to check information with a trusted adult if they are unsure.
As technology continues to develop, helping children to think critically, ask questions and use digital tools safely and responsibly will remain an important part of keeping them safe online.
Online Safety Workshops and Support for Parents
We recognise that technology is constantly evolving and that keeping up to date with new apps, games, social media platforms and online risks can sometimes feel overwhelming. At The Bridge School, we are committed to working in partnership with families to help keep our children and young people safe online.
Throughout the year, we may offer online safety workshops, information sessions and parent information updates to provide practical advice and guidance on topics such as social media, gaming, parental controls, cyberbullying and emerging online risks. These opportunities allow parents and carers to develop their confidence, ask questions and learn about ways to support safe and positive online experiences at home.
We will continue to share trusted online safety resources, guides and updates through our school communication channels and encourage all families to engage with these whenever possible. By working together, we can help our children and young people develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Mencap guide:
https://www.mencap.org.uk/sites/default/files/2016-11/Internet-Safety-web-2016.pdf
NSPCC guide:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/online-safety-families-children-with-send/
Cerebra guide:
https://cerebra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/internet-safety-2022-low-res.pdf
UK Safer internet centre:
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers
Internet Matters:
https://www.internetmatters.org/inclusive-digital-safety/advice-for-parents-and-carers/supporting-children-with-send/
Unicef:
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/digital-parenting
National Online Safety:
https://blog.nationalcollege.com/news/author/national-online-safety
Parent guides:
https://nationalcollege.com/library?sortBy=newest&phase=15&types%5B0%5D=App%5CModels%5CResource&amount=24&selectedView=grid
As a parent of a child with special educational needs, you play a crucial role in guiding their online experiences. By setting up controls, teaching safe online behaviour, and being proactive in monitoring, you can help your child have a positive and enriching digital experience. Remember if you need any help with navigating this please get in touch and we will be happy to help.
Together, let’s create a safe and supportive digital world for our children!