At Whitewater, we recognise that accessing the Internet, and other tools that technology provides, are invaluable ways of finding, sharing and communicating information. While technology itself is not harmful, it can be used by others to make children vulnerable and to abuse them.

The following websites give information and advice for parents about the risks of the internet and specific social media apps and games.

• https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-centre/parents-and-carers  
  This website offers helpful tips on how parents can keep their children safe while using the internet independently. It has separate sections explaining the main issues that parents and children may encounter online and how to have a conversation about them.

  It also offers How-To guides on setting up parental controls for four of the most popular internet service providers - BT, Sky, TalkTalk, and Virgin Media.

• https://www.net-aware.org.uk
  This website is provided by the NSPCC and offers a quick guide to apps, games and social media sites that your children may be using, It also contains news articles covering a wide range of online topics and how to approach them and stay safe.

• https://nationalonlinesafety.com/resources/platform-guides/
  A really helpful site containing a number of "what parents need to know about..." guides covering a range of apps, games and websites that children may use.

Please click the link below for a document to support you when starting conversations with your child about online safety.

If you have any questions regarding keeping your children safe online please speak to your child's class teacher or contact the school office.