Keeping Your Child Safe Online

At Fulwood Academy, we have robust safeguarding measures in place to protect our pupils online. However, we strongly encourage parents and carers to take an active role in discussing online safety and monitoring their child’s internet usage at home.

Parental Controls & Safe Browsing

To help keep your child safe, we recommend setting up age-appropriate parental controls on all devices, including:

• Home broadband – Most UK internet providers, such as BT, Sky, Virgin Media, and TalkTalk, offer free parental controls.
• Search engines – Google SafeSearch and Bing SafeSearch help filter out inappropriate content.
• YouTube – Enable Restricted Mode to block mature content.
• Mobile phones and tablets – Set up screen time limits, app restrictions, and safe browsing settings.
• Gaming consoles – PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo offer parental controls to limit communication, purchases, and screen time.

For step-by-step guidance on setting up parental controls across all devices, visit Internet Matters or UK Safer Internet Centre.

Talking to Your Child About Online Safety

Discussing online safety with your child is one of the most effective ways to keep them safe. Open conversations help children feel comfortable reporting issues if they arise.

• Make online safety a normal topic – Ask about their favourite apps, games, and websites in everyday conversations.
• Reassure them they can talk to you – Let them know they won’t get in trouble for being honest.
• Teach them to think critically – Encourage them to question whether something online is safe, reliable, or appropriate.

For practical advice on how to start these conversations, visit NSPCC’s online safety hub or Childnet.

Recognising Online Risks

Some signs that your child may be facing online risks include excessive time online, secrecy about their digital activity, and changes in behaviour.

Steps to reduce risks include:

• Keeping devices in family spaces rather than bedrooms.
• Setting screen time limits and encouraging offline activities.
• Regularly discussing who they talk to and what they share online.

If you are concerned about grooming, online exploitation, or radicalisation, you can report it to CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) or call Childline on 0800 1111 for confidential support.

Cyberbullying & Responsible Online Behaviour

Online bullying is a growing issue, and at Fulwood Academy, we take a zero-tolerance approach to cyberbullying. Pupils engaging in harmful online behaviour will be sanctioned in line with our behaviour policy.

• Encourage kindness online – Children should never say something online that they wouldn’t say in person.
• Warn them about anonymous usernames – Some platforms allow users to send messages anonymously, which can lead to harmful interactions.
• Discuss the risks of sharing personal content – Once something is posted online, it can be screenshotted, saved, and shared beyond their control.

For more guidance on recognising and tackling cyberbullying, read the UK government’s official guide for parents or visit Anti-Bullying Alliance.

Additional UK-Based Resources for Parents

Here are some fantastic websites to help parents and carers keep their children safe online:

• UK Safer Internet Centre – Expert advice on internet safety, gaming, and social media.
• Internet Matters – Step-by-step guides for setting up parental controls on all devices.
• NSPCC Online Safety – Guides on social media, parental controls, and online risks.
• Childnet – Advice on online risks, filtering software, and online gaming safety.
• CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) – Report online grooming and exploitation.
• ThinkUKnow – Interactive safety tools for children and parents, created by CEOP.
• Get Safe Online – Free guidance on protecting yourself and your family online.

Need Help?

If you have any concerns about your child’s online safety, please contact us at info@fulwoodacademy.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1772 719060. We are here to support you.

By working together, we can create a safer online environment for all children.