St Barnabas celebrates Safer Internet Day 2025
Today, we will be celebrating Safer Internet Day. We began today by a worship led by Mrs Wilkinson. We discussed how to stay safe online, what might happen online and what a scam was. We discussed how we wouldn’t speak to strangers on the street so we should do the same online and only speak to people we know. If something doesn’t feel right or we get a little scared, we should always talk to a trusted adult. It was lovely to see the children discussing the importance of staying safe online and we had lots of meaningful discussion during our worship. This will continue in classes throughout the day.
Year 4 - Safer Internet Day
To celebrate Safer Internet Day 2025, the Year 4s learned how to become savvy cybernauts. They began by learning about the importance of setting strong passwords, and they played a game called ‘Guess the Password’ for which the children took turns rolling a dice to generate a password. Their partners then had to try and guess as much of it as they could. They also learned how to spot a scam and practised with a range of common scenarios.
Year 5 - Online Safety
Year 5 explored the E-Safety poster about scams and fake news in preparation for Safer Internet Day. The children discussed the potential risks and dangers associated with online scams, misinformation and how these can affect people in real life. Through engaging discussions, they identified ways to spot fake news, recognise suspicious links and protect personal information. They also explored the importance of thinking critically before sharing content online, ensuring they can navigate the digital world safely while making the most of the internet’s benefits.
Year 3- PSHE-Staying Safe Online: Spotting Scams and Fake Content
During our PSHE lesson, Year 3 discussed the importance of staying safe on the internet and how to recognise scams and fake content. We talked about common scams, such as fake competition messages claiming, “You’ve won a prize!” that trick people into clicking unsafe links, as well as fake emails pretending to be from banks or companies asking for personal details. We also looked at edited images that make things appear real when they are not, such as fake celebrity endorsements or photoshopped pictures used to spread false information. Parents should have open conversations with their children about these dangers, teaching them to check sources, spot warning signs like poor spelling and urgent messages, and always avoid clicking on unknown links. Encouraging critical thinking by asking, “Does this seem too good to be true?” helps children become more aware. Setting up safe browsing habits with parental controls and child-friendly search engines is essential, along with reminding children to always ask before downloading apps or making purchases. Keeping communication open ensures they feel comfortable reporting anything suspicious without fear of punishment. Finally, leading by example verifying information before sharing and being cautious with online messages, emails, and deals helps reinforce good digital habits.
Year 4- Online Safety - Scams and Fake News
As part of our online safety work and PSHE unit we have looked at the use of scams and fake news on the internet. The children discussed the risks of various examples such as click bait and phishing scams, sales and discount deals and false friendships. The children then highlighted key points of how we can stay safe by staying informed, talking it through and being proactive.
Online Safety: Scams and Fake News
Figures from Ofcom claim that nearly 3.5 million British children have encountered a scam online, and it's vital we learn how to recognise their tactics and protect youngsters against them. This week’s guide and the latest episode of the #WakeUpWednesday podcast deal with the topic of ‘fake news’ and how it might be used to make scams seem more persuasive. Download here >> https://ow.ly/I65s50UTm0P Listen here >> https://ow.ly/5fp750UTm0R
Year 5 - Emotional Literacy
Today, Year 5 explored the concept of emotional literacy through a discussion about the poster. The class developed a strong understanding of what emotional literacy means and how it can help us navigate difficult situations. Together, we identified key ways to support one another during challenging times, including being understanding, recognising emotions in ourselves and others, showing empathy, offering help and practicing mindfulness to manage emotional difficulties. Through this discussion, the children reflected on the importance of kindness and emotional awareness in building a supportive and caring environment.
Online Safety: Supporting Children to Develop Emotional Literacy
Big and difficult feelings are part of growing up but they can be easier to handle with guidance and support. This week’s guide and the latest episode of our #WakeUpWednesday podcast offer expert advice on helping youngsters develop emotional literacy. Download here >> https://ow.ly/qUgp50UOPOF Listen here >> https://ow.ly/InKO50UOPOG
The W.O.W. Group: Year 4 Class Worship
Thank you to the W.O.W. group today for leading our class worships across school. The theme was online content. Our worship leads began by introducing the topic and the news story linked to the topic. They played a couple of games of ‘Follow me’ and that we have the choice not to do something that makes us feel uncomfortable. They talked about the Christian value of courage and how we can show courage in the way we protect ourselves when viewing content online. The Bible link was from St Paul’s teachings, that we should seek out what is true, pure and trustworthy. In reflection, the Year 4s were in agreement that strict rules should be in place for children accessing content online.
Online Safety: Health and Fitness Apps
From data privacy worries to potential costs, it’s important to understand the risks posed by fitness apps – especially for younger users. This week’s guide and the latest episode of the #WakeUpWednesday podcast address some concerns around these platforms. Download here >> https://ow.ly/HV3T50UKg31 Listen here >> https://ow.ly/ic8a50UBtAe
Year 3- Online Safety-TikTok
This afternoon, Year 3 discussed the TikTok app. Many children mentioned that they were unfamiliar with it or only used it under parental supervision. We explored the app's features, such as creating and sharing short videos, adding music, and using effects and filters. The children worked in small groups to discuss its advantages, such as creativity and entertainment, as well as potential risks and why it is age-restricted. This helped them understand the importance of using apps responsibly and with guidance.
Online Safety: Tik Tok
With 22% of its billion-strong userbase being between the ages of 13 and 17, the popularity of TikTok among the younger generation is indisputable. Providing entertainment in the form of a stream of short-form video content while allowing its users to post videos of their own the app has skyrocketed to prominence over the last few years, becoming a fixture in young people’s digital lives. Of course, with a platform as popular and gargantuan as TikTok, it can be intimidating trying to figure out how best to safeguard children and young people using the app. That’s why Wake Up Wednesday have released this brand-new guide to TikTok, detailing the main online safety concerns and suggesting strategies to reduce these risks for the app’s younger users.