Internet safety
Advice and support to help you, your family or business stay safe online.
The EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) statutory framework does not require early years and childcare providers to have a policy or procedure on ICT or online safety.
However, it is good practice to show how you will support children's use of technology in your setting. You should ensure you have a separate internet safety policy or procedure and include the use of mobile phones and cameras. This policy should also state that you are registered as a data controller with Information Commissioners Office (ICO).
As an early years and childcare provider you should:
- keep yourself up to date with training and research and consider the benefits and the risks to children in your care
- communicate with parents or carers and share appropriate information
- talk to children in your setting about how to stay safe online and what to do if they are worried
- use privacy settings, safety modes and filters on any electronic devices within your setting
- never use your own personal devices with children and be clear about what your setting policy states about the use of personal devices
“Practitioners help children to gain an effective understanding of when they might be at risk, including when using the internet, digital technology and social media and where to get support if they need it.”
Inspecting safeguarding in early years, education and skills
Section 233 of working together to safeguard children outlines providers responsibilities for including the use of mobile phones and cameras in their safeguarding policies. The EYFS statutory framework also clearly states in section 3.4 the requirements for all early years and childcare providers safeguarding policies and procedures.
All adults working with children should understand the risks associated with using technology, including social media. These risks could include the bullying, grooming, exploitation, radicalisation or abuse of children or learners.
You should have well-developed strategies in place to keep children and learners safe in your setting. These should support children and learners to develop their own understanding of these risks and help them learn how to keep themselves and others safe.
Early years and childcare leaders should oversee the safe use of technology when children and learners are in their care and take action immediately if they are concerned about bullying or children’s well-being.