Top tips: Digital safety and safe use of technology
Technology is becoming a bigger part of everyday life in early years settings, from staff information and records to digital communication using parental apps. As technology changes we need to ensure our practice keeps up too. Digital safety is about protecting everyone who accesses or shares digital information, while safe use of technology is about how we use it in practice.
Top tips for digital safety and safe use of technology
- Review and audit – review on a regular basis how digital safety works in practice. Talk to staff, review policies and check that digital safety is ongoing and embedded into induction and training
- Keep devices secure – regularly check all devices to ensure anti-virus and anti-spy ware is up to date. In addition, ensure unauthorised and inappropriate websites are restricted, and digital information cannot be shared. Monitor devices routinely and address issues immediately
- Review access to digital information – regularly check who has access to your setting’s digital information and if they still need it. Don’t wait until someone leaves or changes role. Review permissions routinely to make sure access is appropriate and accurate
- Set clear rules around photographs of children – ensure your policies and procedures are up to date and ensure everyone is clear on when photographs can be taken, how they are stored and who they can be shared with
- Promote digital safety awareness with your families – keep digital safety a priority by sharing trusted campaigns, resources and guidance for parents. Get involved with Share Aware https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/research-resources/schools/share-aware-teaching and Safer internet day https://better-internet-for-kids.europa.eu/en/saferinternetday Add a note to your diary so you have time to prepare for the event
- Support practitioners with their online identity – talk to staff during induction, supervision and staff meetings about the impact of their online presence and how their posts, comments, photographs and interactions create a digital footprint that can potentially impact their own, and the setting’s, professional reputation
- Screen use with children – ask “Why are you using screens? Is it necessary? Is there another way to support learning where children are moving and active?” If screens are used, ensure that the children are fully supervised and checks have been done beforehand for limited access and suitability of content
- Be smart about smart devices – make sure your digital safety and safeguarding policy includes if, when and how staff can wear digital devices. Remember that cameras, recording and sharing features must not be accessible
- Visitor expectations – always ensure visitors and parents know your setting’s expectations around mobile phones and devices. Showing around prospective parents can often be overlooked so make it clear that phones or smart devices must be switched off and put away.
NDNA products to support you with these top tips
Online Safety in Early Years – online course – Included in your membership
Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.
- MyNDNA
- Safeguarding
- Tips
