E-Safety Information – YouTube Kids

18th June 2025L Forster

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/

E-Safety Information – Generative AI Safety

11th June 2025L Forster

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.

https://nationalcollege.com/

Reception STEM Week

7th June 2025D Wilkinson

This week Reception had lots of fun designing and creating ocean vehicles.  We talked about the variety of jobs people do around the ocean. We showed fantastic teamwork, and improved our thinking and problem solving skills.  We also learned lots of interesting facts about how to keep our oceans safe for all living things. Look at some of our amazing creations!!!

E-Safety Information – Emojis

4th June 2025L Forster

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/

E-Safety Information – Violent Content Online

21st May 2025L Forster

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.

Northumbria Police Dog Section visit

31st March 2025G Booth

Harton Mini Police had a thrilling surprise visit from the Northumbria Police Dog Section! Excitement filled the air as they discovered they would get to see the police dogs in action, expertly sniffing out their favourite toys. The children eagerly asked questions about the dogs’ important roles and were delighted to meet Rocco and Ollie. Afterwards, they had the chance to explore the inside of a police traffic car, where they especially enjoyed pressing the horn to activate the sirens and lights. It was an unforgettable experience for everyone!

 

E-Safety Information – Bluesky

26th March 2025L Forster

Bluesky social app  is a microblogging social media platform that gained popularity after separating from Twitter in 2021. It’s more than doubled its user numbers in the past six months alone, from 14.5 million in October 2024 to 32 million at present. Since accounts must be public, this opens the door to potential trolling️, cyberbullying  and the spread of misinformation❌

 

We’ve created this free guide – also available in podcast format ️– offering parents and educators advice and guidance on the tools available to keep children safe while using the popular social media platform Bluesky.

Bluesky is a microblogging social media platform that gained popularity after separating from Twitter in 2021. Since accounts must be public, this opens the door to potential trolling, cyberbullying and the spread of misinformation.

We’ve created this free guide, offering parents and educators advice and guidance on the tools available to keep children safe while using the popular social media platform Bluesky.

https://nationalcollege.com/