Online Safety
Latest Aspire Online Safety News for Summer 2026
Aspire Academy Trust recognises that online safety is a far-reaching subject that continues to receive significant media attention and public concern.
While the UK Online Safety Act should mean that technology companies become more accountable over coming years, many adults are of the opinion that children remain too easily exposed to harmful content - and contact - through access to unrestricted online systems.
In 2025, OFCOM's statutory guidance for companies began to make some impact - yet many organisations feel that these statutory rules do not go far enough, and the Online Safety Act itself may need to be strengthened further. In 2026, the government has consulted professionals and the wider public widely, before new legislation will inevitably be put in place.
As this all develops, Aspire wants to do more to help families manage this sometimes challenging situation:
RULE Initiative
In 2025-26 we continue to promote our RULE initiative, informing families and bringing school communities together to take collective action.
The RULE one-page of guidance states ten simple points of action for families to follow, in order to improve the balance of digital technologies that children are exposed to in their most formative years.
We thank all families for their feedback and support. Our aim is to work together to provide a practical and workable route forward, as we wait for further legislation to provide additional support.
RULE: Restrict; Understand; Limit; Explain
Government Consultation: Growing up in the Online World
Responding to public demand, the government announced a consultation seeking a range of views as next steps across children's access to various technologies are considered. The consultation ran from March until May, and further info on this broad piece of work can be found here. We are hopeful that new government legislation, to be proposed this year, will make life in this area easier for families as well as safer for children.
Parent & Carer Information Workshops
Aspire schools host informal workshops delivering key updated statistics and information across this broad area. These sessions point families to information regarding device restrictions, creating a healthy and safe relationship with the technology we use, and our RULE framework.
General Information
In order to keep parents as informed as possible, we maintain a list of regularly updated guidance, links and downloads that we believe school communities will find vitally useful.
Government Site: Kids Online Safety
Screen time guidance for under 5s
Online safety issues including cyberbullying
Online Safety Guide 6-10 years
Social media
IMPORTANT: The usage agreements for all social media platforms state 13 years of age as a minimum, sometimes higher. These platforms carry inherent dangers for young children, including all children of primary school age.
Video Streaming
Gaming
Parent Guide to gaming age ratings