Our latest Online Safety Newsletter was emailed home and is available online too. It includes practical advice, national guidance and important updates to help you keep your child safe online. Here are some key highlights:

📱 Mobile Phones and Mental Health
A helpful overview of the risks of smartphones, including inappropriate content, cyberbullying, in-app spending and sleep disruption. The newsletter also shares age guidance and advice on delaying smartphones.

🎮 Five Nights at Freddy’s – What Parents Should Know
This popular horror game carries age ratings of 12 and 13+. Merchandise may make it seem child-friendly, so we recommend parents preview it first.

▶️ New YouTube Parental Controls
YouTube now allows parents to limit or completely turn off Shorts viewing, plus set bedtime and ‘take a break’ reminders to reduce excessive screen time.

🌐 VPNs – What Are They and Why It Matters
While VPNs can increase privacy, they can also allow children to bypass parental controls and Wi-Fi restriction.

🧠 Understanding Algorithms
An explanation of how social media algorithms influence what children see online, including the risks of increased screen time and exposure to harmful or unbalanced content.

⚠️ New Government Campaign
Guidance and conversation starters to help parents discuss toxic or misleading online content with children.

🕒 Screen Time and Online Harms
Links to trusted health guidance and research on managing screen time well.

You can read the full Online Safety Newsletter here.