Online Safety
Aspire Academy Trust recognises that online safety is a far-reaching subject that continues to receive significant media attention and public concern.
While the UK Online Safety Act should mean that technology companies become more accountable over coming years, many adults are of the opinion that children remain too easily exposed to harmful content - and contact - through access to unrestricted online systems.
OFCOM's statutory guidance for companies will start to make an impact from 2025, though many feel these rules do not go far enough, and the Online Safety Act itself may need to be strengthened further.
In the meantime, Aspire wants to do more to help families manage this difficult situation: in 2024-25 we will be piloting an initiative to bring schools and families together to take collective action.
RULE: Restrict; Understand; Limit; Explain
Our RULE one-page of guidance states ten simple points of action for families to follow, in order to improve the balance of digital technologies that children are exposed to in their most formative years.
We will continue to monitor the impact of the initiative as it rolls out, across our schools, and thank all families for their support. We hope that by working together we can provide a practical and useful route forward, as we wait for further legislation to provide extra support.
20mins online presentations with Q+A (for parents & carers, starting at 7pm)
General Information
In order to keep parents as informed as possible, we maintain a list of regularly updated guidance, links and downloads that we believe school communities will find vitally useful.
Online safety issues including cyberbullying
Online Safety Guide 6-10 years
When you see something scary online
Social media
IMPORTANT: The usage agreements for all social media platforms state 13 years of age as a minimum, sometimes higher. These platforms carry inherant dangers for young, inexperienced and vulnerable users.
Video Streaming
Gaming
Parent Guide to gaming age ratings
Online Safety organisations providing useful guidance
Commonsense Media
UK Safer Internet Centre
Aspire Policies
Aspire Digital Safeguarding Policy
Aspire Internet Safety Core Principles