As digital technology becomes an integral part of education, ensuring young people’s safety online has never been more crucial. Safer Internet Day, celebrated annually, reminds us of the shared responsibility to educate, empower, and protect our children in the digital space. At TLC LIVE Online School, our commitment to safeguarding young people online is embedded in our ethos, supported by our robust Online Safety Policy.
Why is online safety important?
The internet offers unparalleled opportunities for learning and collaboration. However, it also presents risks. These include exposure to harmful content, inappropriate contact, and unsafe online conduct, as well as threats from online scams or cyberbullying. A comprehensive online safety approach is vital to equip students with the skills they need to navigate these risks confidently.
What we’re doing at TLC LIVE Online School
Our Online Safety Policy lays out a clear framework to protect all community members. Here’s how we ensure a safe and supportive virtual learning environment:
1. Secure online learning environment: Our school leverages secure platforms like Unicko for live lessons, ensuring that only authenticated users can access classes. Features like teacher-managed interactions and recorded lessons provide an additional layer of safeguarding.
2. Education and awareness: Students are taught online safety through our PSHE curriculum, learning to recognise risks and how to respond effectively. Topics include identifying harmful behaviours, understanding consent, and managing the emotional impact of online interactions. Lessons are tailored to the needs of vulnerable students, ensuring inclusivity.
3. Proactive risk management: Our policy identifies four key risk areas:
- Content: Safeguarding students from harmful material like fake news, racism, or extremism.
- Contact: Preventing harmful interactions such as grooming or online harassment.
- Conduct: Teaching responsible online behaviour to avoid issues like cyberbullying or sharing explicit content.
- Commerce: Educating students on avoiding scams and financial exploitation.
4. Cyberbullying prevention: Cyberbullying is not tolerated. Our approach includes educating students on recognising and reporting bullying and providing swift responses aligned with our behaviour policy.
5. Parental engagement: We provide resources from trusted organisations such as the UK Safer Internet Centre and Childnet International to help parents stay informed about emerging online safety issues.
How you can help
While our measures are robust, fostering a culture of online safety requires collaboration between schools, parents, and students. Here are some steps you can take at home:
- Encourage open conversations about your child’s online activities.
- Set clear rules about internet use, including screen time limits.
- Use parental controls on devices and apps to restrict access to harmful content.
- Teach your child to critically evaluate online information and to report any concerns.
Looking ahead
The digital world is evolving rapidly, and so are the risks. At TLC LIVE Online School, we’re committed to staying ahead of these challenges. Our policy undergoes regular reviews to reflect the latest threats and best practices, ensuring we continue to provide a safe, inclusive environment for all.
Let’s work together to make every day a Safer Internet Day. By empowering young people with the tools and knowledge to navigate the online world safely, we’re not just protecting them today—we’re preparing them for a confident and secure digital future.
If you’d like to learn more about how our online school helps keep young people safe online, reach out to our team today.
By Josh Blackburn, Chief Executive Officer, TLC LIVE Online Tutoring