Internet Safety in Year 1 and Year 2 [KS1]

Incorporating internet safety into the Key Stage 1 (KS1) PSHE curriculum is essential for safeguarding and digital skills based learning. Children are beginning to access the online world at increasingly younger ages, and without the appropriate skills and knowledge, they are at risk from multiple online dangers.

Muse Wellbeing has incorporated internet safety lessons into its PSHE scheme of work from year 1 to year 6. This ensures that children are equipped with the necessary tools to protect themselves in the digital environment.

What is Internet Safety? 

Internet safety focuses on equipping children with the skills and understanding to protect their personal information and wellbeing, and to steer clear of potential online dangers.

Teaching internet safety is crucial for raising awareness among primary students about the potential risks associated with our ever increasing online use. While being a digital citizen and connected to the global community has many great benefits (and will undoubtedly be a significant part of our students’ futures) it is essential that children understand best practices for safe digital use.

Digital citizenship involves the responsible and ethical use of connected technologies, focusing on positive and effective online engagement. It encompasses a broader scope than internet safety, which specifically aims to protect personal information and general wellbeing online.

Why is Internet Safety Important in KS1?

An Ofcom report released in April 2024 showed that KS1 children have an increasing online presence and are given more digital independence by their parents:

• 24% of 5 – 7 year olds now own a smartphone 
• 76% of 5 – 7 year olds use a tablet
• 32% of parents say they allow their 5 – 7 year olds to use social media independently 

Children within these age ranges are increasingly accessing messaging apps, streaming platforms and social media, underscoring the critical importance of internet safety in Key Stage 1 (KS1).

Incorporating internet safety into a comprehensive PSHE curriculum ensures that children become safe and responsible digital citizens. This is the rationale behind Muse Wellbeing’s integration of digital safety lessons into its PSHE scheme of work in every year group through the primary phase.

As children’s access to the internet and digital devices grows, it becomes essential to explore potential risks and appropriate responses to these risks.

Internet Safety in Year 1 Classrooms

Teaching internet safety in Year 1 involves introducing the basics of online life, establishing a solid foundation to keep children safe whilst also making them aware of both the positive and negative aspects of a connected world.

Muse Wellbeing has carefully developed year group appropriate lessons aimed at introducing young children to the concept of online safety. In Key Stage 1 (KS1), internet safety education focuses on illustrating the similarities and differences between the real and online worlds and on the actions children can take to become safe and responsible digital citizens.

With Muse Wellbeing, internet safety lessons come fully equipped with comprehensive resources that teachers need to introduce this critical topic to their students, including differentiated resources designed to meet the varied needs of all learners, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). These pupils are often more vulnerable to online dangers, making the availability of tailored lessons particularly important. The emphasis on discussion allows students who are less confident in writing to still gain valuable insights and engage with their peers.

The Muse Wellbeing PSHE curriculum addresses a variety of internet safety topics in Year 1, ranging from understanding private information and its protection, to the benefits of technology timeouts and the reasons for limiting technology use.

Furthermore, the lessons lay the groundwork for developing skills that are vital for ongoing education in PSHE, preparing students for secondary education and beyond. These foundational lessons cover the importance of being good digital citizens, the dangers of talking to strangers online and the importance of kindness in digital interactions.

Muse Wellbeing Digital Citizenship: Year 1 Learning Objectives

• Privacy Awareness: Understand that certain information is private, both in offline and online situations.

• Online vs. Real World: Recognize the similarities and differences between the online world and the real world.
• Internet Safety and Communication: Identify simple internet safety strategies, know when to seek adult help for uncomfortable online situations and understand what positive online communication looks like.

• Technology Management and Cyberbullying Awareness: Learn when to disengage from technology to interact with the real world and understand that bullying can take place both online and in real world settings.

Internet Safety in Year 2 Classrooms

Teaching internet safety in Year 2 builds upon the foundational knowledge acquired in Year 1. At this stage, most children will have already gained some exposure to the online world at home and might be using digital devices independently.

The Muse Wellbeing internet safety and digital citizenship curriculum for Year 2 follows the introductory topics of learning established in Year 1 but progresses to offer more actionable strategies for staying safe online and preparing for a digital future.

In Year 1, children engage in a lesson titled ‘Safe Digital Citizens’, where they learn to identify and share basic internet safety strategies and understand when to consult an adult about concerning online experiences. They discuss the concept of strangers and share ideas and definitions as a class, examining various scenarios to determine safe practices.

In Year 2, the lesson ‘I am a Digital Citizen’ helps students recognize the key characteristics of a positive digital citizen and introduces them to the idea that the online world, while similar, differs from the real world. This lesson incorporates the SMART internet safety tips, providing easy-to-remember advice for safe internet usage.

The Year 2 lessons deepen children’s understanding of their interactions online, focusing on how they present themselves and communicate in digital spaces. These lessons equip children with skills for positive online communication, which are also applicable offline.

Muse Wellbeing Digital Citizenship: Year 2 Learning Objectives

• Digital Citizenship Traits: Identify key characteristics of a positive digital citizen in their use of technology and the internet.

• Online vs. Real World: Understand the similarities and differences between the online world and the real world.

• Internet Safety and Awareness: Share simple internet safety strategies, recognize when to report uncomfortable online situations to an adult, and know that people may sometimes pretend to be someone else online.

• Communication and Cyberbullying: Embrace the SMART guidelines for positive online communication and understand the prevalence of bullying and teasing in the online environment, akin to the real world.

SMART Rules for Internet Safety

SMART was originally designed by Childnet, a charity with the mission to make the internet a safer place for children. The SMART rules provide an effective framework for teaching internet safety to KS1 students. These guidelines are straightforward enough for young children to grasp, and utilizing resources like classroom posters helps reinforce these important safety messages consistently.

S for Safe: Do not share personal details online.

M for Meet: Avoid arranging to meet people you’ve connected with online.

A for Accept: Do not click on unknown links; instead, consult a trusted adult.

R for Reliable: Exercise skepticism online; verify information using trusted sources.

T for Tell: Always inform a trusted adult if something online upsets you.

Muse Wellbeing incorporates the SMART rules into the Year 2 internet safety curriculum, offering children simple, actionable steps to foster responsible digital citizenship. These rules aim to enhance online safety, protecting children’s privacy and wellbeing.

Final Thoughts on Internet Safety in KS1 Classrooms

With the increasing use of technology by younger children, teaching internet safety in Key Stage 1 (KS1) has become more crucial than ever.

Muse Wellbeing’s internet safety and digital citizenship lessons not only guide children through navigating the online world but also provide them with opportunities to discuss and role-play scenarios they might encounter. These activities equip them with the necessary skills to handle various situations effectively.

Each lesson is thoughtfully designed to ensure children’s safety, encourage responsible behavior, and protect their mental health by teaching them to recognize when they need a break from technology and how to be responsible digital citizens.

Accessing the internet is straightforward for most children today, but maintaining safety online presents challenges. However, with Muse Wellbeing’s comprehensive internet safety lessons, teachers can feel confident that they have the best resources and strategies to safeguard their students in the digital world.