Online Safety Blog

Online Safety 18/11/25 – Smartwatches As technology continues to advance, smartwatches have become a popular gift for children. It is important to remember that at St Catherine’s, smartwatches with internet access, messaging capabilities, and cameras are completely prohibited, even if these functions can be temporarily disabled. Smartwatches have both advantages and disadvantages that parents should […]

During online safety lessons at St Catherine’s, we focus on a number of key topics including: responsible use of social media, the importance of being a good online friend, and how to effectively report incidents of bullying or misuse. However, it is essential to remember that children often learn most from the behaviour models around […]

JusTalk Kids is a communication app tailored for primary-aged children and is considered safer alternative to other messaging apps. The platform provides parents with control over their child’s digital interactions, allowing for easy monitoring of contacts. This feature helps to create a secure environment where children can chat, share, and connect with family and friends. […]

This week, we would like to highlight an immensely popular game on Roblox called Grow a Garden. As a platform featuring a vast array of user-generated games, Roblox continues to engage children with its interactive experience. While Grow a Garden is labelled as ‘minimal’ in content maturity, indicating it may contain mild violence or light […]

Research frequently indicates that children are reluctant to take action when they encounter harmful content or behaviours online. As a community, we can ensure that our children feel empowered to respond appropriately. At home, start by fostering open conversations about your children’s online experiences; if your child shares something distressing, it is crucial to remain calm, regardless of […]

As parents, it is vital to be aware of the potential dangers associated with children accessing games with higher age ratings. 18-rated games and films in particular often contain graphic violence, explicit content, and themes unsuitable for younger audiences, which can be harmful to their emotional and developmental wellbeing. While your child might assert that […]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not something new; we have been using AI for many years, often without realising. It started with pattern recognition, such as predictive text or algorithms showing us content we might be interested on Instagram. ‘Generative AI’ is what we have seen a recent rise in use of in the past few […]

As we navigate the digital landscape alongside our children, the findings from Ofcom’s ‘Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2025’ offer crucial insights. The report reveals that YouTube continues to be the most frequently used platform among under 18s, closely followed by WhatsApp, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. Alarmingly, children aged 8-14 are spending […]

Children’s school years are full of milestones which can mean many photos that are frequently shared online. Whilst this is often a very positive thing to do, it can come with some risks that are worth taking into consideration. Ensuring all your social media accounts are private is the best place to start, however do be […]

As the summer holidays are fast approaching, it is important for parents to consider how to manage their children’s screen time effectively. To prevent excessive device use, establish a structured daily routine that includes designated times for outdoor activities, reading, and creative play. Encourage your children to engage in offline pursuits by setting daily limits […]