Keeping Safe Evidence
Year 2 had so much fun at St Mary’s Lighthouse. We created art using a range of natural materials on the beach. Next, we observed the seals soaking up the sun and having a little swim. Then we climbed all of the 137 steps to reach the top of the lighthouse for an amazing view. Finally, we explored the rock pools and identified different sea creatures.
This term Year 2 have been reading ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton.
Today, we had the pleasure of attending the opening screening of ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ at Cineworld Boldon.
The children were very well behaved, had wonderful manners and were fantastic representatives for our school.
We had the most amazing time and enjoyed our drinks and snacks !!!!
5 children from Year 6 were selected to take part in the iBelong Cyber event at the Word to take part in some workshops around e-Safety.
In our first session, we worked with Alan from the DSIT (Department of Science, Innovation and Technology) looking at trust when online. We discussed different people (like doctors or teachers) and why we trust them, and how we trust information from different sources. Looking at AI and machine based learning, we learned about data sets through the game ‘Quick Draw‘ and how computers learn from lots of pieces of similar data. He also learned about key signs to look for with regards to phishing (scamming emails, texts, calls and websites wanting to steal details/information) situations.
Our next session was about ‘Digital Footprints from a Gaming View’ – the marks we leave online – from Digital Safety. We looked at ‘gamertags’, as this is the first thing people see when we engage online. We learned that it is important that these are anonymous and hide our personal information. We then took part in a ‘password cracker’ activity – trying to guess someone’s password. Next we tried to create a new stronger password for the character.
After lunch, we had our final session about ‘Staying safe on Roblox’. We looked into cybersecurity, and how we keep ourselves safe online. Again (similar to the last session) we looked at the importance of secure passwords and what we should be sharing online. Discussing scenarios, we looked at what to do when people contact you unsolicited or offering ‘too good to be true’ situations – highlighting the reject and report buttons.
We ended the day looking at impersonation and identity theft, thinking about how we’d feel if someone had been impersonating us online. Using Mentimeter, we took part in polls to assess our understanding of the themes of today.
Overall, the children were given a refresh of how they can make themselves more safe when setting up accounts or navigating the online world.
AI can be an amazing tool for education and creativity – sadly, it’s also become a tool for online scammers 
This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide shines a light on the dark side of using AI, including phishing emails, fake voice calls, and influencer-based frauds targeting younger users 
From deepfake videos to romance scams powered by chatbots 
the tactics are getting more convincing – and the consequences more serious. If you’re looking to help children and young people navigate the online world with confidence and caution, this guide offers key insights and practical advice to keep them safe 
AI isn’t just transforming the way we learn and work, it’s also reshaping the tactics scammers use online. From generating convincing phishing emails to fabricating influencer videos, criminals are using AI to make their scams more convincing than ever. Young people, who often embrace new tech quickly, can be especially vulnerable.
This guide highlights several AI-enabled dangers – including romance scams, deepfake audio and video impersonations, and fake job offers – and explains how to spot and report them. With clear tips for verifying content, thinking critically, and using trusted platforms, it’s essential reading for parents and educators to help young people stay one step ahead of the scammers.
YouTube Kids is designed to be the safer cousin of the regular YouTube app; however, built-in risks continue to pose concerns 
From targeted advertising to addictive design, there’s more going on behind the scenes than many realise. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide breaks it all down.
Whether it’s inappropriate content slipping past filters or tech-savvy kids bypassing parental settings, YouTube Kids still needs careful oversight. Our guide provides clear, easy-to-follow tips to help adults keep young users protected while still enjoying their favourite videos 
YouTube Kids promises a safe, child-centric experience with colourful visuals, age-filtered content, and robust parental controls. Designed to appeal to younger viewers, the app has grown rapidly, being used by tens of millions of children worldwide. But is it as safe as it seems?
Despite YouTube Kids’ safeguards, reports have highlighted worrying issues, such as inappropriate content slipping through filters, subtle advertising, and the use of manipulative design to keep children engaged. Our guide explores how to navigate these pitfalls, offering practical advice for making sure children get the most from the platform – without the risks.
https://nationalcollege.com/
Generative AI can be a brilliant tool for creativity and learning 
– but it’s not without its hazards. With 3 in 4 pupils now using generative AI (up from just 2 in 5 last year!), it’s more important than ever for parents and educators to understand the risks 
This week’s free #WakeUpWednesday guide breaks down the key safety concerns around generative AI tools and offers expert advice for keeping young users safe. From encouraging critical thinking to safeguarding their privacy, find out how to help children use AI safely and smartly 
The remarkable growth of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has opened up exciting new opportunities for young learners. Used wisely, AI can be a powerful ally in boosting creativity, learning and problem-solving skills. However, without proper guidance, young people may stumble into challenges including inaccurate information, data security risks, and a growing reliance on AI over their own critical thinking.
From setting clear usage boundaries to teaching digital hygiene and promoting independent thought, this guide offers parents and educators practical advice on the safe, positive use of AI. With the right understanding and guidance, you can ensure that generative AI becomes a positive influence, rather than a potential pitfall in young people’s digital lives.
They say a picture’s worth a thousand words and when it comes to emojis, that’s often true 
But in the wrong context, these innocent-seeming icons can take on a whole new meaning, sometimes hinting at things that aren’t as light-hearted as they appear.
This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide breaks down some of the slang and symbols young people use online and explains how some could be masking real issues, from bullying and exclusion to harmful behaviours
. With our handy cheat sheet and top tips, adults can keep pace with this ever-changing digital language 
Emojis aren’t just digital decoration — they’re often used as a coded language that young people use to express identity, humour and emotion. Without context, they can easily be misunderstood by adults, leading to confusion or missed signals. Some emojis may even mask risky behaviours or emotional struggles.
This guide helps decode this ever-evolving language, empowering parents and educators to have more open, informed conversations with the children in their care. It also highlights the meaning of some common emojis and offers practical tips for staying clued-in without snooping or suspicion.
https://nationalcollege.com/
Around 70% of teenagers say they’ve seen real-life violence on social media in the past year. Violent content online isn’t just something young people are occasionally stumbling across – in many cases, it’s becoming a routine part of their digital world 
. From fights 
and stabbings 
to toxic ideologies 
, disturbing videos are often just a click away on social media or group chats. Many children don’t go looking for this material, it finds them via algorithms or peer sharing.
This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide highlights the unseen risks this poses to children’s mental health , sense of safety , and social behaviours. With insights from a leading expert 
, it offers practical ways for parents and educators to respond with empathy 
and support 
– not punishment or panic 
.
The guide outlines key concerns, including the mental toll of repeated exposure, shifts in behaviour, and the worrying normalisation of harmful ideologies. It also explains how such content can escalate from screen to street, and why some young people may feel pressured to share or even create violent media themselves.
This half term, Year 3 have begun their pedestrian training.
As part of this, we’ll be heading out into the local area around our school to practise crossing the road safely and sensibly. It’s a great opportunity for the children to learn important road safety skills in a real-world setting.
Instagram 
remains one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, especially among teens – used by around 70% of 13 to 17-year-olds.
It may be one of the most familiar social media names around but features like AI-powered chatbots and Threads integration have added fresh challenges for families and schools to navigate From worrying livestreams to issues like social exclusion and fear of missing out, Instagram isn’t just about photos. As the platform evolves, so too must the conversations we have with young people about how they use it 
Our latest #WakeUpWednesday guide outlines what these new features involve, the possible risks they bring and how to make the most of Instagram’s parental controls to keep children safe online.
Instagram remains a go-to app for teens, with its endless stream of photos, videos, and ‘Stories’ keeping young users constantly connected. From influencer content to live broadcasts, the platform is packed with evolving features that can feel fun and engaging – but can also raise some serious concerns around screen time, online pressures and exposure to inappropriate content.
We’ve created this free guide – also available in podcast format – offering parents and educators up-to-date knowledge on the risks and safety tips for this latest version of Instagram.
