Digital Literacy – Online Safety

Digital Literacy – Online Safety

The Internet and other digital and information technologies are powerful tools, which open up new opportunities for everyone. Electronic communication can help teachers and pupils learn from each other. These technologies can stimulate discussion, promote creativity and increase awareness of context to promote effective, independent learning. Whilst the Internet can be educational and fun, and a way of communicating with others, using the Internet can also have risks.

Children and young people are more at risk of exposure to inappropriate or criminal behaviour if they are unaware of the dangers. These dangers can include:

  • viewing unsuitable content e.g. hate material, adult content, sites that promote unhealthy behaviour
  • giving out personal information
  • arranging to meet an online ‘friend’
  • becoming involved in, or the victim of, bullying, identity theft, or making and sending indecent or illegal images
  • spending too much time online which can effect concentration, education, sleep and health
  • copying information from the Internet or buying work from other people to use as their own.

Children and young people should have an entitlement to safe Internet access at all times. At Roseberry, it is our duty to ensure that children and young people are able to use the Internet and related communications technologies appropriately, and safety is addressed as part of the wider duty of care to which all who work in schools are bound. Therefore, it is important that we educate our children to be safe and responsible whilst using the Internet and technology. As part of their education, we need to teach them how to remain safe whilst online and how to use technology both appropriately and effectively.

Digital Literacy (including Online Safety) Curriculum

Online safety awareness is an important part of both our computing and creative curriculum at Roseberry. As well as our annual Internet Safety themed day, we plan and teach lessons that promote the knowledge, skills and experience that children need in order to keep themselves safe online. It is important that we educate our children to be safe and responsible whilst using the internet and technology. As part of their education, we need to teach them how to remain safe whilst online and how to use technology both appropriately and effectively.

The ‘Digital Literacy’ aspect of our Computing Curriculum aims to  concentrate on creating a society that is well informed about how to protect themselves online whilst promoting the use of technology. Children are learning that appropriate, respectful ways to communicate are important and this should include digital communications, whether online or offline.

Children will be taught to: 

  • Recognise common uses of information technology beyond school
  • Use technology safely and respectfully, keeping personal information private; identify where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies
  • Understand the opportunities [networks] offer for communication and collaboration
  • Be discerning in evaluating digital content
  • Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.

 

If you require any further information about our curriculum, please email our school business manager, Mrs Maddison on (01642) 360520