Information for Staying Safe Online

Student Online & Social Media Expectations

• Avoid any form of bullying, exclusion, or negative comments.

• Use kind words in messages, posts, and group chats — always think, “Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”

• Report online cruelty or discrimination — don’t ignore it https://reportharmfulcontent.com

Ambition - Use online spaces to grow, learn, and show our best selves.

• Use social media and online platforms to share achievements and learning when appropriate.

• Protect your digital reputation: be mindful of what you post and how it represents you and our school.

• Engage in positive online communities that help you grow academically and personally.

• Avoid distractions during lessons or homework time — stay focused and driven.

Responsibility - Take ownership of our digital behaviour and understand the impact of our choices.

• Only post or share content that is appropriate, respectful, and legal.

• Keep personal information private — protect yourself and others.

• Never record, share, or forward images, videos, or messages without permission.

• Follow age restrictions on apps and websites

• Know that your online actions have real-life consequences, in and out of school.

Remember - Being a student of The Roseland Academy means representing our community at all times, including online.

Parent and Carer Online & Social Media Expectations

Kindness - We encourage a culture of empathy, respect, and digital citizenship.

• Model respectful and kind behaviour in all online interactions, including school groups and forums

• Remind children to treat others online as they would like to be treated in person.

• Promote respectful communication with staff, other families, and students on social platforms.

• Avoid posting negative or critical comments about the school or individuals on social media — raise concerns through the proper channels.

• Encourage your child to use the internet for learning, creativity, and positive social interaction.

• Promote a healthy balance of screen time with other activities such as reading, exercise, and offline hobbies.

• Take an active interest in the apps, games, and websites your child uses and discuss their online lives regularly.

• Support your child in developing digital resilience and confidence in making good online choices.

• Know which platforms your child is using and ensure they meet age requirements (e.g., most social media platforms are 13+). https://parentzone.org.uk/article/age-ratings 

• Set clear boundaries about time online, device use in bedrooms, and expectations for communication.

• Encourage your child to speak to a trusted adult if something online worries them.

• Reinforce that inappropriate or harmful behaviour online can have serious consequences.

Support and Guidance

Parental Settings & Online Safety

• Parental controls and filters:

• https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls 

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

• Set privacy settings on social media accounts and gaming platforms.

• Ensure location sharing is turned off unless necessary.

Reporting Concerns

• CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection):
  Report online abuse or exploitation – https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre 

• Report harmful content:
  https://reportharmfulcontent.com

• School Designated Safeguarding Lead:
  If you’re concerned about your child’s online experiences, please contact the school’s safeguarding team through the email: wellbeing@theroseland.co.uk.

Creating Healthy Online Habits

• Agree on screen time routines and usage limits

• Use “digital-free zones” in your home (e.g., mealtimes, bedrooms).

• Encourage open conversation about what your child sees and does online.

VPNs: A Guide for Parents of Teenagers

What is a VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that creates a secure, encrypted connection between a device and the internet. It hides the user’s IP address and location and can bypass internet restrictions and content filters.

When VPN Use May Be Appropriate:

VPNs can be useful tools for:

• Protecting personal data on public Wi-Fi.

• Supporting digital privacy (especially for older teens learning about digital citizenship).

• Accessing educational content while travelling.

Why Teenagers Use VPNs

• Access blocked websites (e.g. social media, gaming sites) at school or at home.

• Watch streaming content unavailable in their region.

• Avoid parental controls or monitoring.

• Protect their data on public Wi-Fi.

Potential Risks and Concerns

While VPNs are legal and useful tools, their use by teenagers may raise concerns:

• Bypassing parental controls or school filters
  Teens might use VPNs to access inappropriate or unsafe content.

• Lack of accountability
  VPNs can make it harder for parents or schools to track online behavior.

• Free VPN risks
  Many free VPNs log data or inject ads, which can compromise privacy and security.

• False sense of security
  A VPN hides location but doesn’t prevent phishing, cyberbullying, or malware.

Advice for Parents

1. Have an open conversation
   Talk about what VPNs are, why your child might want to use one, and set clear expectations for safe and respectful online behavior.

2. Set digital boundaries
   Use parental control settings and discuss appropriate screen time, content access, and responsible browsing.

3. Explain the risks
   Help them understand the difference between privacy and secrecy, and the risks of using unreliable VPN services.

4. Monitor usage appropriately
   Tools like home network filters, device monitoring apps, or routers with VPN detection can help manage usage while respecting privacy.

5. Offer safer alternatives
   If your teen is concerned about online safety, help them explore safer browsers, privacy-focused search engines, or reputable VPNs used responsibly.