RAPS – Helping Keep Children Safe Online

The school’s ongoing commitment to promote safety online is a core value and it has been highlighted with a special awareness day.

Run as part of the Safer Internet Day nationwide initiative, RAPS pupils discussed potential scams, phishing and general vigilance.

The day began with discussions about what scams are and how they can appear in different forms online. Pupils examined examples of online communications, learning to spot tell-tale signs of deception.

To help with this, they used the acronym S.C.A.M.: This stands for S – Seems too good to be true; C – Contact you did not expect; A – Asked for personal information; M – Money or trade being asked for.

Using this framework, children sorted different messages, highlighting suspicious elements that could indicate phishing attempts.

Another key focus was online profile security. Pupils discussed what makes a strong password and played an interactive game to design their own secure passwords. The importance of protecting personal information was emphasised, helping children understand how to keep their accounts safe.

The discussion also extended to internet-connected toys and gaming safety. Pupils reflected on their own experiences and shared best practices, such as avoiding communication with strangers in online games.

The event also reinforced RAPS existing stringent safeguards that include a charter for safe Internet use drawn up by children that is a simple and effective set of guidelines when using smartphones, tablets and computers to link into the World Wide Web

Assistant Head of School Hannah Darnell said: “It was reassuring to hear that the majority of pupils already avoid chatting with strangers, and they reinforced their understanding of why this is a crucial safety measure.

“Throughout the day, they engaged in a variety of activities that reinforced the importance of online safety. They created eye-catching posters showcasing their knowledge about scams, phishing, and the importance of having a private and protected online presence.”

Head of School Nick Budge added: “Helping our pupils stay safe online is absolutely essential in today’s digital world. Events like Safer Internet Day give children the tools and confidence to protect themselves and make smart choices when using the internet. We want our pupils to be digitally savvy and resilient.

“Technology plays a significant role in their young lives and it is vital they know how to act safely when using it, including how to identify and report a concern.”

In recent years the school has contacted families appealing to them to support its stance on unrestricted use and to make sure that children do not go online to any site that is not age appropriate.

RAPS regularly reminds parents and carers that social media is not advised for children below age 13, and age restrictions apply to social media accounts for good reason.

They are asked to reflect on the access their children have to social media and consider carefully monitoring the use of mobile phones, tablets and computers

Mr Budge added: “There are very real concerns nationwide about the use of social media by under age children and the threat it can pose – for example, contact with strangers, social conflict, hacking of personal information and data, exposure to inappropriate content, and significant emotional risk.”

Further information about keeping children safe online is available via the school’s website and concerned families are invited into school for a chat about specific issues they face.

* Safer Internet Day: Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in approximately 180 countries and territories worldwide.

From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns. Find out more online from www.saferinternetday.org.

Ramsgate Arts Primary is part of the Viking Academy Trust with its partner schools Chilton Primary in Ramsgate and Upton Juniors in Broadstairs.

**Contact Head of School Nick Budge on 01843 582847