Because we care deeply about the safety and wellbeing of our students, we believe it’s important for families to stay informed about the digital world. The internet offers great opportunities, but it also comes with risks, and having the right knowledge helps us guide children to use technology safely, responsibly and positively. We have recently added links on our website to provide easy access to parents to the following information sites:

Beacon is designed specifically for parents as a personalised, one-stop-shop for reliable information about the online world. It arms parents and carers with the knowledge they need to confidently help navigate their children’s digital behaviour and reduce harms we know are associated with being online and on screens.

Beacon will shine a light on the online world with:

Articles and videos backed by the latest research
Tailored content and alerts, unique to your family needs
An interactive, personalised digital family agreement
Help and services that are available to you and your family

Online Safety Hub

The online safety Hub is a "one-stop shop" for parents to get expert advice on keeping children safe online. It is designed to take the guesswork out of digital parenting by providing practical, up-to-date information on the latest apps, games, and online trends.

Key Features for Parents:

App & Game Reviews: Detailed "deep-dives" into popular platforms (like TikTok, Instagram, Roblox, and Minecraft) that explain the risks and provide recommended safety settings.
Expert Guides: Step-by-step instructions on how to set up parental controls, manage screen time, and handle issues like cyberbullying or "oversharing."
Conversation Starters: Practical advice on how to talk to children about digital wellbeing and staying safe online without it becoming a conflict.
Parental Control Tools: Information on how to access tools like Qustodio, which allows parents to monitor and manage their child’s device usage.
Latest Trends: Regular updates on new apps or online challenges that parents should be aware of.

Qustodio Device Safety

Qustodio is a digital wellbeing app that parents install on their own phones to supervise and manage their child’s activity on smartphones, tablets, and computers (including iPhones, Androids, and laptops). It is designed to create a balanced "digital diet" rather than just being a surveillance tool.

Key Features for Parents:

Smart Web Filtering: Automatically blocks inappropriate content (pornography, gambling, violence) even in private browsing modes, ensuring children only see age-appropriate websites.
Screen Time Limits: Allows parents to set a daily "time allowance" or create a schedule where the device automatically locks during dinner, homework, or bedtime.
App & Game Management: You can see exactly which apps your child is using and for how long. You can set specific time limits for apps like TikTok or Roblox, or block them entirely.
Activity Reports: Provides a daily or weekly "snapshot" sent to your inbox, showing you a summary of your child’s digital habits and any flagged searches.
Location Tracking: Includes a real-time map so you can see where your child is and receive notifications when they arrive at or leave school or home.
Social Media Alerts: Uses AI to alert you to concerning interactions or suspicious "DMs" on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp without you needing to read every single private message.

David Henderson

IT Support | Careers Advisor

We'll miss you Mrs Millar!