The internet is an amazing resource which enables us to connect, communicate and be creative in a number of different ways, on a range of devices. However the internet is always changing and being able to keep up to date with your children’s use of technology can be a challenge.
For Parents:
To help you find out more about the games your children are playing, visit https://www.commonsensemedia.org/. Using this website, you can search different games and apps and find out the recommended age as well as a summary describing the game. Unfortunately there is now a charge for regular use of this service, parents can currently read 3 reviews for free each month. If you would like more information about different games your child is playing, then you can visit https://www.taminggaming.com/. Another useful website is https://www.internetmatters.org/
Parents should be aware that many of the games below are not recommended for children under the age of thirteen.
Please click to see new parent resources and checklists to guide you through the parental controls for: Netflix, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram and Discord.
A very popular app is Tik Tok. Please follow the link for a very useful guide for parents: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews/tiktok Please continue to talk to your children about what they are watching and posting. Even if they have private accounts, followers can take a screenshot and share it more widely.
We recently held an Online Safety meeting for Year 5 & 6 parents with information on the current apps and games. Please click here to find the presentation: Online Safety Y5&6 17.3.22
Cyber Security
CyberSprinters is a free interactive game, developed by the National Cyber Security Centre – a part of GCHQ, and aimed at 7 to 11-year-olds. It is designed to make learning about cyber security fun and interactive at a time when children might begin to seek more independence online. The online game sees players become a ‘cybersprinter’ who is racing against its own depleting battery power. Users can win battery power by correctly answering questions about cyber security but face losing it if they bump into ‘cybervillains’. This will help children and adults learn together about how to keep safe and their information secure online. Click here to play the game.
Some other useful websites for parents:
- https://www.bbc.com/ownit
- http://parentinfo.org
- http://parentzone.org.uk
- https://www.net-aware.org.uk
- http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ (particularly: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/home-activity-worksheets/)
- http://www.internetmatters.org (has guides to using parental controls)
- http://www.saferinternet.org.uk UK Internet Safety Centre: (has guides to using parental controls)
- http://www.connectsafely.org/ (guides to Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Google+)
- http://www.net-aware.org.uk/
- http://www.getsafeonline.org/
- http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
- Vodafone’s online digital parenting magazine: http://www.vodafone.com/parents
For children:
If you want to learn how to stay safe online while playing games, visit this website, http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ for fun games and activities. There are different sections and games depending on how old you are.
Some other useful websites for children:
