Online Safety Guidance For Families

Here are a range of resources, advice and support to continue keeping your child safe online at home:

Online Safety Books

When Charlie McButton Lost Power By Suzanne Collins and Mike Lester Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils). Charlie McButton explores the story of a little boy who likes computer games so much he never plays with anything the else. When a thunderstorm knocks out the electricity his tech empire comes tumbling down. Charlie needs batteries fast the only ones he can find are in his little sisters talking doll. Will he resort to desperate measures and cause his sister to have a meltdown of her own or will he snap out of his computer craze long enough to realise his sister might be fun even if she doesn’t come with batteries?!

It’s a Book By Lane Smith Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils). It’s a Book explores the role of books in a digital age via a humorous discussion between an IT-savvy donkey, a book-loving ape and a mouse. It’s a Book can be used to discuss using technology safely and responsibly and also the different ways children can read and have fun both on and offline

To help parents have these important conversations with their children at a younger age, Vodafone UK and Andersen Press have teamed up with award-winning author Jeanne Willis and illustrator Tony Ross to produce a co-branded digital edition of #Goldilocks. The book is a modern twist on the classic fairy tale and offers a fun and accessible way for parents to discuss responsible social media use with their younger children.

The book sees #Goldilocks getting into trouble with the three bears over her pursuit of likes on social media. It aims to help educate children about the potential consequences of being unkind, getting carried away with selfies or oversharing images in a light-hearted way.

Penguinpig By Stuart Spendlow and Amy Bradley. Suitable for children aged 5-7 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils). Written by primary school teacher, Stuart, Penguinpig is a story about a little girl who finds out about a magical creature online but her parents are too busy to help her so she sets off to find one. Penguinpig is a rhyming book which explores the issues of reliability online and the need to be aware that not everything online is true! Penguinpig can be used to discuss the issue of reliability and trust online with children. The main message within Penguinpig is that sometimes people use the internet to lie or trick other people and strongly emphasises that children should always check content with a trusted adult.

Little Bird’s Internet Security Adventure Story by Jim Mercado and Siobhan MacDermott. Written by Marlo Garnsworthy. Illustrations by Tracy Spencer. Suitable for children aged 3-8 (also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils). Little Bird is the story of a bird who wants to wish her grandma a happy birthday over the computer. With the help of her parents, Little Bird has learned how to be safe online but her animal friends haven’t been so lucky and they need her help. Little bird shares her knowledge with them along her journey home.

Chicken Clicking By Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross. Suitable for children aged 3+ (also suitable for KS2/SEND pupils). Chicken Clicking explores the story of a little chick that sneaks into the farmer’s house at night and buys herself and her farmyard friends lots of gifts. Chicken Clicking also uses the internet to go online and meet a new friend but all is not as it seems! This story is a 21st century version of the “Chicken Licken” fairy story, a familiar tale for both adults and children and provides opportunities for discussion about keeping safe online.

Webster’s Bedtime By Hannah Whaley. Suitable for children aged 3-8 (may also be suitable for KS2/SEND pupils). Webster’s Bedtime is a rhyming story which explores the need for us all to switch off from screens and internet, especially at bedtime. The story acknowledges that this is often easier said than done and enables children to think about the impact technology can have. Webster’s Bedtime can be used to discuss using technology responsibly, screen time, balanced use, gaming and using mobile phones and tablets responsibly.

Digiduck’s Big Decision By Lindsay Buck (Childnet International) and Ciara Flood. Suitable for children aged 3-7 (also suitable for KS2/SEND pupils) Digiduck is available in a variety of formats (including Spanish and Norwegian) and was produced by Childnet International to help Foundation Stage and KS1 children explore the idea of being a good online friend. Digiduck needs help to make a difficult decision about sharing photos online. Digiduck can be used to discuss issues such as online friendship, taking and sharing photos safely, online gaming and responsibility online.