Safer Internet Day 2015 - The What, Why And How?
Mon 09 February, 2015
What?
Tomorrow (10th February 2015) is Safer Internet Day. The day is designed to spark discussion and to ensure that all schools are seeking to educate the children in their school, so that they are aware of both of the benefits provided by the Internet and the risks that are inherent in its use too. It is also a chance to ensure that children see how they can use digital technology positively!
Why?
According to OFCOM (Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitude Report 2014) 88% of children aged 5-15 have access to the Internet through a PC, Laptop or Netbook. Interestingly though this is the first decrease since the survey began in 2005. This decrease is most likely fuelled by the statistic that almost twice as many children now access the internet through a tablet or mobile device as did last year. This change in children's Internet use habits means that more children are now accessing the internet in a space that only they use. This makes it all the more key that schools give children the skills that they need to interact with a digital world safely and responsibly.
By the end of Key Stage 2, the programmes of study state that all children should be able to:
Use technology safely, respectfully and responsibly; recognise acceptable/unacceptable behaviour; identify a range of ways to report concerns about content and contact.
Safer Internet Day is another way that these skills can be promoted, so that your school ensures progress for all children.
How?
The Safer Internet Centre has created a pack of resources for primary schools that include a lesson, assembly script and drama activities, which you can download and use straight away. You can get the pack from this website: Safer Internet Centre, where you will also find lots of other ideas and resources.
Alongside this you could create your own resources. We came across this resource at one of the schools that we work with, which was created by Chris Smith (Computing Subject Leader) at Two Mile Hill Primary School, Bristol.
You can connect with Chris on Twitter at www.twitter.com/supermrsmith and he might even let you have the resource to use with your class.
There are loads of great resources out there and E-safety is a key part of the new programmes of study, so make sure that you do at least something tomorrow to ensure that the children in your school are well prepared!
If you need support, training, ideas or guidance to do with any of the issues mentioned in this email, then contact us by email on: getintouch@softegg.co.uk or call us on: 0117 287 2029