At St. Paul's, we aim to protect our children online through the computing curriculum and educating them on how to stay safe.

How can I stay safe when I use the internet?

•  If someone adds you to their contact list and you don’t know them, make sure you block them. 
• If you have your own profile on IM, it’s not a good idea to include lots of information about yourself, like your hobbies, favourite band, your address and school.  
• It’s also not a good idea to have a picture of yourself on your profile - you can use one of the pictures that are on IM already, or a picture of a pet or your favourite pop group. 
• treat people how you would like to be treated yourself. Take responsibility for what you write when using email and never write something that might hurt or upset someone.
• IT'S A GOOD IDEA NOT TO REPLY TO NASTY MESSAGES and if you get a message that upsets you, you should always tell a trusted adult.
• You should never send a picture message to anyone you don’t know in the real world - even if you have been talking to them online and think you know them, or someone you have met through a friend.
• Never give your mobile number to anyone who you don’t know in the real world.
• Never arrange to meet up with someone you don’t know and always tell a trusted adult and save the message.

Top Tips for staying safe online:

• Always ask a grown up before you use the internet. They can help you find the best thing to do (at home or at school).
• Don’t tell strangers where you live, your phone number or where you go to school. Only your friends and family need to know that.
• Don’t send pictures to people you don’t know. You don’t want strangers looking at photos of you, your friends or your family.
• Tell a grown up if you feel scared or unhappy about anything.
• You can also call ‘Childline’ on: 08001111 to talk to someone who can help.

 If I feel unsafe, how can I report it?

•  Always tell a trusted adult straight away if you are upset or worried about something that has happened online.
•  Remember to save any messages that have upset you so you can show them to who you tell - they will be able to help, and they will be able to give you good advice about what else you can do. Never worry about getting in trouble - you aren’t the one who has done anything wrong.
•  If you don’t want to talk to a trusted adult, you may want to chat to someone else about how you feel.
• ChildLine is a site where you can have a private 1-2-1 chat with a counsellor who will listen to you and not judge you. You can also call them for free on 0800 1111 and it won’t show up on your phone bill.