Online Safety

Children at Lowton West use the Internet and online resources on a regular basis as part of their learning. Technology enhances learning, and we want to ensure pupils stay safe online, whilst getting the most from it, by encouraging responsible online behaviour. 

In school, we use a filtering system to prevent children accessing inappropriate sites and monitor their online work through Impero Software. Children also participate in regular online safety activities throughout the year, to remind them of the importance of keeping themselves safe online.

At home, sometimes children can be given unsupervised access to the Internet via mobile devices such as mobile phones, iPads and other tablet devices. This, potentially, allows them to access all kinds of society (both good and bad) and bring them virtually into their homes.

Apart from the lessons in school, we have provided a wide range of parental guides and information to help parents keep their child safe at home. We will continue to update this page with further information throughout the year.

Online Age Restrictions

It’s important to know the minimum age restrictions in place to have an account on popular social media platforms such as: Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Snapchat.

WhatsApp Age Restriction: 16 years old

The minimum age of use for WhatsApp is 16. It had previously dropped to 13 years old but in April 2018 returned to 16 years, as a response to data-protection legislation.

Facebook Age Restriction: 13 years old

In the UK, Facebook requires everyone to be at least 13 before they can create an account. Creating an account with false information is a violation of their terms. This includes accounts registered on the behalf of someone under 13.

TikTok Age Restriction: 13 years old

TikTok is popular with primary school aged children but has an age limit of 13 years. New family safety modes let parents link their own TikTok accounts to their child's - and turn features on and off remotely. This includes a "restricted mode" that tries to filter out inappropriate content, and turning off messaging.

Snapchat Age Restriction: 13 years old

Snapchat is one of the most popular social networks in the world but still has an age limit of 13 years.

YouTube Age Restriction: 13 years old

Whilst there is no age restriction for watching videos on YouTube, users need to be 13 or older to have their own YouTube account (enabling them to subscribe to other channels, like videos, post comments, share their own content and flag inappropriate content).

Online Safety Advice

CEOP

The CEOP website has been developed to offer children, young people, parents/carers and professionals working with these groups with a simple and convenient mechanism for gaining access to trusted online safety advice, help and support.  For further information on the CEOP website, click on the link below. 

Visit the Safety Centre at the link below and follow the on-line instructions to report any inappropriate activity.

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