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• Your child's wellbeing is more important than their phone - Safeguarding

  Tue 30 Jan 2024 Mr Seargent

  Dear parents and carers

   

  Key message

  • Some parents are neglectful in their management of phone and messaging use off-site,  and this is impacting their children at the school.
  • Harmful and negative messaging/content sharing is occurring whilst in the care of parents – not at school.
  • The school cannot monitor/manage or control your child’s actions when they are in your care.
  • Parents must take control and if that means removing access to the phone, you should do so (see Mr Seargent’s 5 step guidance below).

   

  Very recently I sent important messages to parents regarding social media/messaging platforms and the challenges and pressures it places on children.  An additional 2 assemblies were dedicated to the matters raised, alongside our ongoing guidance.

   

  Sadly, despite this, some parents have not engaged with the advice.  As a result, pupils and adults continue to approach staff for support regarding messages sent to and from pupils (and sometimes adults) when in the care of their parents.

   

  I feel I cannot be clearer in the message

   

  If you provide your child with a phone or similar device off the school site, then the responsibility and consequences of those interactions lie with the parents, not the school.  You allow access and as such are accountable for use and content (not only morally but legally in some cases).

   

  Whilst we will educate and support children, there is only so much we can do; parents ultimately have the responsibility to ensure their child’s safety.

   

  I have attached a link for guidance to support parents provided by the NSPCC and the school website has a dedicated section to support parents.

   

   https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/#

   

  (See website section Parents - Additional support)

   

  Mr Seargent’s: 5 step (honest and to the point ) guidance

  For parents worried about messages/content sharing on phones or similar:

   

  If you are genuinely concerned, take control:

  1. Do not allow your child to have access to apps that are age-restricted (they are restricted for good reason).
  2. Block/remove contacts other than those you approve.
  3. Set limited times for use of the phone and /or access to a device and only when you are present.
  4. Do not allow your child to go to bed with their phone.
  5. Report offensive content to the police.

   

  If you are still concerned 

  If all else fails and you remain concerned, remove the device. 

   

  I am often surprised at how many parents are concerned to the point of upset and distress, but at the same time are not willing to remove the cause of that distress.  

   

  Your child’s well-being is more important than their access to a phone.  You are the adult, and they are the child; you are in control, and you have the responsibility.

   

  Your consideration is appreciated.

• Adult and parent interactions on and off school site.

  Fri 26 Jan 2024 Mr Seargent

  Dear parents.

   

  Key message:

  • Do not approach other people’s children on the playground in an attempt to resolve friendship issues or express your views
  • Do not seek to contact children directly or indirectly through message systems in an attempt to resolve friendship issues or express your views
  • Parents directly contacting children via messages or face-to-face run the serious risk of allegations linked to child protection

   

  If you are of the view that an issue needs to be addressed and it is a school matter, please speak to a staff member.  The school has clear and effective systems to support pupils and these were heavily praised by Ofsted in our most recent report.  Acting independently and directly with children is at best, ill-advised.

   

  Warning: Contacting or approaching children directly not only creates parental conflict but also places the adult doing so at risk of serious allegations linked to child protection offences.  Unsolicited approaches in any form by adults to children may be dealt with by the authorities and or result in a ban from school grounds.

   

  Children receive effective support in school to assist in the challenges of nurturing positive relationships and learning how to manage friendships.  All matters are addressed.  If an outcome or investigation is not to the liking of an individual parent, this does not mean it has been ignored or il managed.

• SAFEGUARDING CONCERN

  Fri 12 Jan 2024 Mr Seargent

  Dear Parents,
   

  As you are aware, we are keen to ensure that all that can be done is done regarding children’s online safety and I would bring to your attention an important matter regarding increased risks related to children and recent trends seen nationally and locally.

   

  Key information:

  1. There are increasing patterns of younger children accessing inappropriate materials online locally and nationally, including pornographic materials, self harm instruction and forums where adults impersonate children
  2. Peer-on-peer messaging to carry out acts of bullying out of school are more frequent than previously
  3. Parents must monitor their child’s online activities at home
  4. Please follow the guidance given below including contacting the police if you feel your child is at risk
      

  In recent times, there has been a noticeable increase in cases where children have accessed unsuitable websites without proper monitoring in the home. We understand that the internet can be a valuable resource for learning and entertainment, but it is crucial to ensure that your child's online experience remains safe and appropriate.
  
  To address this concern, we strongly advise parents to actively monitor their children's online access at home. By doing so, you can help protect your child from stumbling upon inappropriate content and ensure their online activities align with their age and maturity level.
  
  Here are a few practical steps you can take to enhance online safety for your child:
  
  1. Establish open communication: Encourage your child to discuss their online activities with you. Create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their experiences and any concerns they may have encountered while browsing the internet.
  
  2. Set clear guidelines: Establish rules and boundaries for internet usage at home. Discuss appropriate websites, time limits, and the importance of seeking permission before accessing new platforms or content.
  
  3. Utilise parental control tools: Take advantage of the various parental control features available on devices and internet browsers. These tools can help filter out inappropriate content and restrict access to certain websites.
  
  4. Educate your child about online safety: Teach your child about the potential risks associated with the internet, such as sharing personal information or interacting with strangers online. Encourage them to be cautious and responsible while browsing.
  
  5. Regularly monitor online activities: Periodically check your child's browsing history and online interactions. This will allow you to identify any potential issues and address them promptly.

   

  6. If you feel that your child is at risk of harm from an adult making contact or requesting contact or the sharing of images, please inform the police
  
  By implementing these measures, you can play an active role in safeguarding your child's online experience and ensuring they have a positive and secure digital environment.
  
  We understand that navigating the online world can be challenging, but by working together, we can create a safer online environment for our children. If you have any concerns or require further guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
  
   

   

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• Social Media Concers and Parental Responsibility

  Mon 08 Jan 2024 Mr Seargent

  Dear parents

   

  Urgent Social Media Notice – Parental moral and legal responsibilities.

   

  Key message: 

  • Children using mainstream social media platforms are not permitted to do so under the terms and conditions of the provider.
  • Parents choosing to allow access to social media platforms are choosing to be responisble for the risks they pose.
  • The school cannot and will not intervene on behalf of parents allowing children to access social media sites against this advice and terms and conditions of prioviders
  • Permitting children to access social media sites in breach of terms of conditions may be considered an act of neglect by the parent.

   

  It has come to light again that a minority of children at the school are accessing WhatsApp/SnapChat and similar to message each other and creating private chat groups.  Concerns have been raised about the nature of some comments posted, a minority of which are believed to be derogatory, inappropriate or slanderous. 

   

  As the Designated Safeguarding Lead at the school, I am uncompromising in my duty of care and application of policy regarding any area of risk; this includes access to social media.

   

  Whilst we seek to educate and support pupils regarding the modern online world, parents have the ultimate responsibility to monitor and control access - school cannot do this in your home or outside of school.  Likewise, parents can legally be held accountable for their child’s actions and a parent’s failure to safeguard is considered an act of neglect.

   

  Moral duty to safeguard: I remind parents, as I often have, of the dangers of social media exchanges and the dangerous impact they can have on others.  We only need to read the cases of those similar to Molly Russel, who tragically took her own life after having unsupervised access to social media posts and communication, to understand the importance of monitoring and controlling social media access.

   

  Legal position:  WhatsApp and similar platforms are not age appropriate for primary school children and if used this is a breach of the terms and conditions; as a parent, you may be deemed as acting neglectfully in law.

   

  THE AGE RESTRICTIONS ARE THERE TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD

   

  I remain perplexed at the sometimes blasé approach a minority of parents have when it comes to uncontrolled and unmonitored access to social media.  A prime platform for this is WhatsApp, closely followed by SnapChat.  

   

  It cannot be emphasised enough that if parents are of the view ‘my child wouldn’t do that’, or ‘it is unfair on them not to use it as their friends do’, then you are wilfully placing your child at risk, and by knowingly allowing access to non-age appropriate online platforms, acting neglectfully in the eyes of the law.

   

  The school has a catalogue of support materials for parents and links to advice and guidance on the school website:  Visit www.ashgate.derby.sch.uk.  Click the Parent Link and Useful Links and Information or:  

  www.ashgate.derby.sch.uk/useful-links-and-information/