Talking about online safety is a vital part of helping children to stay safe in the world today. Hannah Broadbent looks ahead to this year’s Safer Internet Day on February 6

The internet is an important part of many young people’s lives. From school work to games, the online world is where a lot of young people are spending their time. Incorporating internet safety themes across the curriculum in your school, and celebrating the benefits of new technologies, can enhance learning in so many ways, while also keeping young people safe online.

Safer Internet Day (SID) provides a key moment when children and young people can take the lead in making the internet a better place and when schools can provide a spotlight on the work they do throughout the year and create a real “buzz” in school about online safety.

What is Safer Internet Day?

Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre, Safer Internet Day sees thousands of people across the UK get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.

The UK Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of three organisations – Childnet International, the Internet Watch Foundation, and the South West Grid for Learning – with one mission: to promote the safe and responsible use of technology for young people.

More than 1,600 organisations supported Safer Internet Day 2017, collectively reaching millions of children across the UK. With your help we can make this Safer Internet Day even bigger.

Safer Internet Day 2018 will be celebrated globally on Tuesday, February 6, with the slogan “Create, Connect and Share Respect: A better internet starts with you”. You can join hundreds of schools, youth groups, companies, charities, police services and others to help inspire a better internet.

Safer Internet Day in your lessons

The Safer Internet Day Education Packs provide free resources to help educate students aged from three to 18 about online safety issues.

Tailored for each key stage, these packs include lesson plans, assemblies, posters, and other quick activities. Each of the education packs also has an accompanying SID TV educational film, which is designed to complement the lessons and learning objectives.

  • The pack for three to seven-year-olds focuses on ways in which children can be kind to others as well as different ways they can keep themselves safe online.
  • The pack for seven to 11-year-olds explores what constitutes positive and negative behaviour online, how online behaviours can have an impact on the feelings of others and also develops their online conflict management.
  • The pack for 11 to 14-year-olds looks at how the online world can influence and put pressure on young people. This is followed by exploring possible responses to online pressures and also looking at online connections and respect online.
  • The pack for 14 to 18-year-olds explores how people can conduct themselves positively online and promote change, evaluates how well we are using the internet to connect with each other, and suggests ways to help all young people create, connect and share respect online.
  • The pack for parents and carers includes ideas, information and activities to help them talk to their children about how to use the internet and technology positively and safely.

Information for teachers

The UK Safer Internet Centre has also created a pack for the people delivering the Safer Internet Day messages in your school. This pack is designed to help you make sure your Safer Internet Day activities are the best they can be. This includes:

  • A guide to celebrating SID in your education setting.
  • Information about handling disclosures and sensitive topics.
  • Advice for talking to the press about your SID activities.
  • Information about how you can spread the word of SID even further.

Furthermore, there are some key things to remember when delivering online safety sessions:

  • Acknowledge the positives of the online world.
  • Don’t let anecdotes distract from the online safety messages.
  • Be non-judgemental in your approach.
  • Don’t over-react when young people tell you something.
  • Keep your examples and messaging current.
  • Create a culture of open dialogue in your sessions.
  • Use distancing techniques.

SID TV educational videos

The UK Safer Internet Centre also provides free films to complement the education packs which help start conversations about “digital empathy”. The films look at how children and young people of different ages can be kind online, looking out for themselves as well as other people. The videos are a great starting point to spark discussions in schools, youth groups, with friends and at home.

From Edinburgh to Cardiff the SID TV content was filmed right across the UK to ensure that our films explore a range of issues about the safe and positive use of technology, and showcase a variety of voices and opinions.

Safer Internet Day on social media

This Safer Internet Day you can post online using #SID2018 and join the #ItStartsWithUs social media campaign by sharing what positive actions you and the young people you work with are taking to celebrate.
You can find out more about how you and your school can get involved in the Safer Internet Day social media campaign and download our templates on the Safer Internet Day website.

  • Hannah Broadbent is deputy CEO of Childnet International and deputy director of the UK Safer Internet Centre.

Safer Internet Day 2018

For information on all of the above, including to register your school as a Safer Internet Day supporter, to download the templates and education packs, and view the campaign films, visit www.saferinternetday.org.uk or follow the UK Safer Internet Centre on Twitter @UK_SIC

UK Safer Internet Centre

The UK Safer Internet Centre is a partnership of three leading charities focused on creating a better internet for all children and young people. They offer a range of free online safety support: