Online Safety- PSHE

Staying Safe and Smart Online
This term in PSHE, the children have been learning how to use the internet safely and responsibly. With so much of our communication, learning, and play happening online, it’s important to understand how to make good choices and look after ourselves and others in the digital world.
We explored how people can create different online identities and how they might express themselves differently online than in real life. The class discussed how it’s important not to believe everything we see online, as profiles and posts don’t always tell the full story. In addition to this, we spoke about being "free to be me" and that we shouldn't judge people online or offline, being kind to everyone and showing respect for how people choose to represent themselves.
Another focus was on online reputations and how our words, photos, and comments can stay online for a long time. The pupils learned how to build a positive reputation by thinking carefully before posting. We also looked at age classifications on games and apps, learning how these ratings help keep children safe from unsuitable content.
Throughout the lessons, the children took part in many thoughtful class discussions, sharing their ideas and experiences with great enthusiasm. It was wonderful to see how engaged they were and how much they learned about staying safe and responsible online.