Online Safety Guidance for Families

Last Reviewed: May 2025

Next Review Date: September 2025

Helping You Stay Safe, Informed, and Empowered in the Digital World

At Purple Ruler, we believe education should not only teach learners what to think — but how to think safely in the environments they learn and grow. That includes the online world, where so much of modern learning takes place.

Whether you’re a young person, a parent or carer supporting them, this page is here to explain why online safety matters, what risks to be aware of, and how we can all work together to create a safe and respectful learning environment.

Why Online Safety Matters

Online learning brings incredible opportunities — access to knowledge, creativity, connection, and flexibility. But it also means students are exposed to new risks that don’t always look dangerous at first glance.

Children and young people may face:

Online bullying or inappropriate comments
Exposure to harmful or upsetting content
Inappropriate contact from strangers
Pressure to share personal information, images, or videos
Peer pressure to behave in ways that go against their values or safety

By learning how to spot risks, build healthy digital habits, and speak up when something doesn’t feel right, learners gain lifelong skills that will keep them safe both now and into adulthood.

For Learners: How to Stay Safe Online

Here are some ways to stay safe while still enjoying your learning experience:

✅ Keep your learning space private

Your lessons are for you and your teacher only — never invite others, share the lesson link, or allow anyone else to sit in unless a parent or carer is supervising.

✅ Protect your personal information

Never share your:

Address
Phone number
Passwords
School details
Social media accounts

Even if someone seems friendly — if you don’t know them in real life, don’t share.

✅ Respect others’ privacy too

Don’t record or screenshot lessons. It’s not just against the rules — it’s unfair to others who are there to learn.

✅ Speak kindly and stay professional

Even online, your words and actions matter. Being respectful creates a safer space for everyone.

✅ Tell someone if you feel uncomfortable

Whether it’s something said in class, online messages, or even a situation at home — your voice matters. You have the right to feel safe.

For Parents & Carers: Supporting Online Safety at Home

Your support makes a big difference in keeping online learning safe and meaningful. Here’s how you can help:

✅ Set up a safe environment

Place devices in shared spaces
Use content filters and parental controls
Keep login details secure and private

✅ Talk openly about online experiences

Ask open questions like:

“What did you enjoy about your lesson today?”
“Has anything online made you feel unsure or uncomfortable recently?”
“What would you do if someone asked for your personal information?”

This builds trust and confidence.

✅ Stay aware of digital boundaries

Teachers and staff must only contact learners through official school platforms
Social media contact is not appropriate and should be reported if it happens
Remind your child not to share lesson links or screen content with others

✅ Teach digital resilience

Young people will come across things they don’t expect — what matters is how they respond. Let them know:

It’s okay to ask for help
They won’t get in trouble for telling you something concerning
Their instincts and feelings are valid

✅ Keep updated on online safety knowledge

There are plenty of resources, including beyond school platforms that could help to improve your knowledge and understand on these risks as well as preventative strategies you can use at home. These expert resources offer clear, practical, and regularly updated guidance:

UK Safer Internet Centre - Guidance on online safety, screen time, social media, and managing digital risks. Includes specific advice by age group and topic. www.saferinternet.org.uk/parents
Internet Matters - A comprehensive platform for parents covering online gaming, parental controls, screen time, and how to talk to your child about online issues. www.internetmatters.org
Childnet – Parents and Carers Hub - Support for managing digital wellbeing, setting boundaries, and understanding the apps and platforms children are using. www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers
NSPCC – Keeping Children Safe Online - Advice on sexting, online grooming, cyberbullying, and using parental controls. Includes free webinars and downloadable guides. www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety
CEOP – ThinkUKnow for Parents - CEOP’s ThinkUKnow platform offers tailored guidance for parents on spotting signs of exploitation, helping with online disclosures, and reporting abuse. www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
UK Government Guidance: Protecting Children Online - Official DfE guidance for parents on what schools should be doing and how you can stay involved. www.gov.uk/government/publications/child-online-safety-parental-guide

These resources are free, accessible, and regularly updated to reflect the ever-changing digital landscape.

We encourage all parents and carers to explore them, not just in moments of concern, but as part of building strong, open, and confident relationships around online life at home.

What to Do if You’re Worried

If a child or young person feels worried, unsafe, or unsure — whether it happened during a lesson or outside of one — please let us know.

Contact our Safeguarding Team:

Email: safeguarding@purpleruler.com

Call: 01227913313

Or complete a reform form here.

Trusted Support Outside of School

If you or your child would prefer to speak to someone outside of Purple Ruler, these services are here to help:

Childline – Speak to someone 24/7 0800 1111 | childline.org.uk
NSPCC – Support for families and children 0808 800 5000 | help@nspcc.org.uk | nspcc.org.uk
CEOP – Report online abuse or inappropriate contact ceop.police.uk/safety-centre
Kooth – Free mental health support for young people kooth.com

Let’s Work Together

Online safety is not just about rules — it’s about empowerment. When young people are equipped with the right knowledge, tools, and support systems, they learn to recognise unsafe situations, make confident choices, and ask for help when it matters most.

Together — learners, families, and educators — we can create a digital environment where learning is safe, respectful, and empowering.