Mrs A Reed, Assistant Head (Pastoral)
For today’s young people, the online world is not separate from “real life”. It is where they learn, communicate, socialise, create and explore their interests. As adults, it can sometimes feel difficult to keep pace with how quickly that world changes, particularly with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, social media trends and online safety challenges.
Recent developments, including the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026, reflect growing national recognition that children’s safety online must be treated with the same seriousness as their safety offline. The Children’s Commissioner recently noted that “children’s digital lives are their real lives”, calling for stronger protections alongside greater understanding from adults.
At Sheffield Girls’, we believe that preparing young people to navigate the digital world safely and thoughtfully is an essential part of education. Just as importantly, we know this works best when schools and families work together.
Building critical thinkers: online safety education at Sheffield Girls’
Online safety education has evolved significantly in recent years. While filtering, monitoring and boundaries remain important, we also want our pupils to develop the confidence, judgement and critical thinking skills that will support them long after they leave school.
Through our PSHE programme and wider pastoral provision, pupils are encouraged to analyse and interrogate what they see online, rather than simply consume it passively. We discuss questions such as:
- Who created this content and why?
- Is this information reliable?
- How might algorithms shape what we see?
- What are the long-term consequences of our digital footprint?
- How can online spaces influence emotions, identity and behaviour?
These conversations become increasingly important as AI tools and chatbots become embedded into everyday life. Research from both the Children’s Commissioner and organisations such as Internet Matters highlights that many young people are already using AI tools for learning, entertainment, companionship and advice.
Rather than approaching this from a place of fear, we encourage pupils to engage critically and responsibly with technology. We want girls to understand both the opportunities and the limitations of AI, social media and online platforms, recognising that not everything online is accurate, authentic or designed with young people’s wellbeing in mind.
Encouraging agency and healthy digital habits
One of the most important messages emerging from recent guidance is that young people themselves want support in managing their digital lives. Many recognise the pressures of constant connectivity and the challenge of “switching off”.
At Sheffield Girls’, we aim to empower pupils to take ownership of their online behaviours and habits. This includes encouraging them to reflect on how online activity affects their wellbeing, concentration, relationships and confidence.
In PSHE lessons and pastoral conversations, pupils explore topics such as:
- Screen use and balance
- online influence and trends
- digital footprints and reputation
- misinformation and AI-generated content
- privacy and data sharing
- healthy online communication
- recognising unsafe or manipulative behaviour online
Importantly, these discussions are participative and age-appropriate. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, challenge assumptions and contribute their own perspectives and experiences.
Our pastoral system also ensures girls know where to seek support if something online worries or upsets them. Form Tutors, Heads of Year, our School Counsellor, School Nurse and Peer Mentors all play an important role in helping pupils feel safe speaking openly and seeking guidance when needed.
Working in partnership with parents
One of the most important messages emerging from recent guidance is that young people themselves want support in managing their digital lives. Many recognise the pressures of constant connectivity and the challenge of “switching off”.
At Sheffield Girls’, we aim to empower pupils to take ownership of their online behaviours and habits. This includes encouraging them to reflect on how online activity affects their wellbeing, concentration, relationships and confidence.
In PSHE lessons and pastoral conversations, pupils explore topics such as:
- Screen use and balance
- online influence and trends
- digital footprints and reputation
- misinformation and AI-generated content
- privacy and data sharing
- healthy online communication
- recognising unsafe or manipulative behaviour online
Importantly, these discussions are participative and age-appropriate. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, challenge assumptions and contribute their own perspectives and experiences.
Our pastoral system also ensures girls know where to seek support if something online worries or upsets them. Form Tutors, Heads of Year, our School Counsellor, School Nurse and Peer Mentors all play an important role in helping pupils feel safe speaking openly and seeking guidance when needed.
Preparing girls for the future
Technology will continue to evolve, and young people will continue to encounter new opportunities and challenges online. Our role as educators and parents is not simply to restrict access, but to help girls become thoughtful, informed and resilient digital citizens.
That said, our recently imposed mobile phone ban in Senior School has given our pupils the opportunity, the space and the time, to reconnect with each other and themselves and make the most of their social time in school outside of the classroom.
At Sheffield Girls’, we are proud of the way our pupils engage critically with the world around them. By combining strong pastoral support, open conversations and a partnership with families, we aim to ensure every girl feels empowered to navigate the online world safely, responsibly and with confidence.
Useful resources for families
We know many families appreciate practical guidance and conversation starters. The following resources may be helpful:
- https://parentsafe.lgfl.net/digital-family-agreement
- https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/online-safety/online-safety—downloadable-resources/cso_familyagreement_interactive_jan2022.pdf
- https://www.childnet.com/resources/family-agreement/
- https://www.childnet.com/parents-and-carers/have-a-conversation/
- https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/ask-the-awkward
- Internet Matters: Keeping Children Safe Online: information, support and advice
- Internet Matters: AI chatbots and virtual friends – how parents can keep children safe
- Internet Matters: Using artificial intelligence safely
- Internet Matters: A parent’s guide to AI
- Children’s Commissioner resources:
Frequently asked questions about online safety at Sheffield Girls'
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Online safety is embedded throughout our PSHE programme and pastoral provision. Pupils explore topics including AI, digital footprints, misinformation, screen balance and healthy online communication — in age-appropriate, participative sessions from Infant through to Sixth Form.
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A mobile phone ban is in place in our Senior School. This gives pupils the space to reconnect with each other and themselves during the school day, while our pastoral programme equips them with the critical thinking skills to navigate the digital world confidently outside school.
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We recommend keeping conversations open, curious and regular rather than reactive. Our PSHE curriculum is shared via Firefly so families can see the topics being covered and continue those conversations at home. The resources listed above are a useful starting point.
