Online Safety October 2025

​Dear Parents and Carers,
 
We have received the following communications from the online safety team at Stockport LA.  We regularly hold conversations with parents around this topic and unfortunately find ourselves in discussions with families when things go wrong online particularly for our older children.  There is a large amount of support available in the resources that have been shared with us and I want to share a small part of these with you in this correspondence.  I will continue to share more with you in newsletters across the year.
 
I have shared guidance here with you regarding social media.  I know a large number of our children access the apps that are mentioned here.  I would remind you that many of these apps have a recommended age of 13.  Whilst I understand there are many different ways to use these apps, I would encourage you to have conversations in your home regarding safe use if this is appropriate to your family situation.
 
Please be assured that online safety is an integral part of our PSHE curriculum across the year but this is obviously one area where working in partnership is key.
 
Find out how to keep your child safe online. Don’t forget that the Online Safety Hub is now live! You can access it for free here:

https://stockport.onlinesafetyhub.uk/  The Online Safety Hub is a brand-new online resource with lots of expert advice and guidance to help you manage your child's safety online as a parent. It includes information on the latest hot topics when it comes to keeping children safe, such as how to manage your child's screen time, understand the latest gaming platforms, what they mean for your child’s safety and lots more.
 
We’re also offering you as a parent, a free Qustodio account facilitating parental controls on any individual device and free premium access for 30 days. Gain more visibility on what’s going on in your child’s online world. Block dangerous content, introduce screen-free schedules, receive alerts for inappropriate content, keep tabs on their location and more. Follow the link to create your free account https://www.qustodio.com/en/30-days-school-special/?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=OSHub&utm_campaign=stockport

Social Media

Navigating social media and gaming safely
https://stockport.onlinesafetyhub.uk/parent/articles/navigating-social-media-and-gaming-apps-safely
Supporting families to discuss how to keep their children safe online using our ABC model.

Safe Chat : The best messaging apps for children
https://stockport.onlinesafetyhub.uk/parent/articles/safe-chat-the-best-messaging-apps-for-children-1
A good place to start for messaging apps.

Snapchat
https://stockport.onlinesafetyhub.uk/parent/reviews/snapchat
Review of the snapchat platform
Information, advice and guidance for parents

Tiktok
https://stockport.onlinesafetyhub.uk/parent/reviews/tiktok  
Review of Tiktok
Information, advice and guidance for parents
 
Instagram
https://stockport.onlinesafetyhub.uk/parent/reviews/instagram
Review of instagram - Information, advice and guidance for parents
 
Discord
https://stockport.onlinesafetyhub.uk/parent/reviews/discord
Review of Discord - Information, advice and guidance for parents

The prevent duty - advice and support for parents
https://stockport.onlinesafetyhub.uk/parent/articles/the-prevent-duty-advice-and-support-for-parents
Information and advice relating to the prevent duty.

We have also been asked to share a current online safety concern.

A safeguarding issue has been identified regarding the Spy Dog, Spy Pups, and Spy Cats book series by Andrew Cope. A web address printed in these books is now under the control of another party and redirects to inappropriate content. The publisher, Puffin, is currently addressing the matter and confirms that the website is not associated with Puffin Group or the author, Andrew Cope. 

If your child owns any Spy Dog, Spy Cat, or Spy Pup books, please check for website links at the back of the books and ensure the sites cannot be accessed. The stories themselves remain safe to read; the concern relates only to the outdated link.
I trust this information is of use to you and your family.

Best wishes,
Becky Wood