E Safety
DFE
Today’s pupils are growing up in an increasingly complex world, living their lives seamlessly on and offline. This presents many positive and exciting opportunities, but also challenges and risks. We want schools to equip their pupils with the knowledge needed to make the best use of the internet and technology in a safe, considered and respectful way, so they are able to reap the benefits of the online world. This advice brings together information that will help schools deliver online safety content within their curriculum and embed this within their wider whole school approach.
Refer to the education for a connected world framework for age-specific advice about the online knowledge and skills that pupils should have the opportunity to develop at different stages of their lives.
Curriculum context
As part of the statutory relationships and health education in primary schools and relationships, sex and health education in secondary schools, pupils are taught about online safety and harms. This includes being taught:
- what positive, healthy and respectful online relationships look like
- the effects of their online actions on others
- how to recognise and display respectful behaviour online
Throughout these subjects, teachers will address online safety and appropriate behaviour in an age-appropriate way that is relevant to their pupils’ lives.
This complements the computing curriculum, which covers the principles of online safety at all key stages, with progression in the content to reflect the different and escalating risks that pupils face. This includes:
- how to use technology safely, responsibly, respectfully and securely
- where to go for help and support when they have concerns about content or contact on the internet or other online technologies
There are also other curriculum subjects which include content relevant to teaching pupils how to use the internet safely. For example, citizenship education explores:
- freedom of speech
- the role and responsibility of the media in informing and shaping public opinion
- the concept of democracy, freedom, rights, and responsibilities
Educate Against Hate has a full teaching pack dedicated to fundamental British values that includes class tasks, a class presentation, films and teaching guidance.