Digital technology now includes much more than just the family computer. There are flat-screen television sets and tablets in most houses, and digital TV channels or films that you can watch on-demand on a variety of different devices.  Smart phones and web enabled games consoles are carried by children as well as adults. They include mobile phones, digital cameras, and access to thousands of ‘Apps’, podcasts and music tracks. Young people are able to communicate with others using social networking sites including Instagram and Snapchat, DM such as Whats App  as well as video conferencing sites such as via ‘Skype’ and 'Facetime' etc.

At St Thomas’ Catholic Primary school we are developing our digital education with the new technologies in mind. We are keen to hear families’ views and experiences in order to develop pupil’s safety awareness at school, in the home as well as in the wider community.

March 13^th 2023

Dear Parents,

The latest information on children's online habits is quite sobering and here at school, we are finding more and more issues are being raised because of this. For this reason, I attach headlines from the latest Government report (data collected in 2022 and full report below, should you wish to read) and the Vodaphone Parent and Family Newsletter.

The latest edition of Digital Parenting Magazine is for parents/carers to read. In this resource, Vodaphone have put together articles and expert advice on a variety of online safety topics to help parents be better informed and keep their children safer in the digital world. Vodaphone have also developed their Digital Parenting Pro; an interactive resource which provides helpful information about what parental controls and safety settings are available across the most popular apps, games and devices. This is a useful resource to signpost parents/carers to upskill themselves and take steps to keep children safer when accessing the internet and technology at home. Alongside this, Vodaphone have also created a “Digital Family Pledge”, which is another interactive resource designed for families of children aged 5-13 years, to support parents/carers in starting a discussion and setting appropriate ‘house rules’ on how technology should be used and acceptable behaviour online. 

Pledges can be made by individuals or the whole family and cover a range of issues including:

• Quality screen time

• Being kind online 

• Healthy social media 

• Happy gaming

I hope both are of help to you.

Kind regards,

Mrs CJ Brooker

Deputy Headteacher / Online Safety Lead

Safer Internet Day 2023

Please check out what each year group did on the class pages.