Resources

Resources encourage pupils to explore issues of online identity

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How young people manage their identity online is to be the focus for the next Safer Internet Day, with organisers offering a range of new resources for schools.

The annual event takes place on February 11, 2020, and with three months to go the resources have been launched to coincide with Anti-Bullying Week this week.

The resources aim to help young people explore how the internet shapes the way they view themselves and others, and the extent to which the internet helps young people to experiment and express themselves.

Free to download, they also consider how offline stereotypes and discrimination are challenged or reinforced online.

The resources are in four age ranges, with packs for pupils aged three to seven, seven to 11, 11 to 14, and 14 to 18. They include posters, films and quick activities which are easy to organise and there is associated guidance for teachers as well as parents and carers.

The resources for the youngest age range offer activities that explore the concept of the internet and how their identity can be created online.

For seven to 11-year-olds they look at the importance of respect and reputation when navigating the digital world, including scripts that tackle different scenarios young people of this age may face online, also exploring how to represent their identity online in a safe and positive way.

The resources for 11 to 14-year-olds offer activities focusing on celebrating and supporting different identities online, considering why some groups of people may feel excluded, unrepresented or unable to be themselves online.

And the resources for 14 to 18-year-olds look at barriers which prevent individuals and groups from being themselves online, including how we portray the different aspects of our identities online and how others online treat us based on this.

Safer Internet Day is organised by the UK Safer Internet Centre, which is a partnership of Childnet International, the Internet Watch Foundation and SWGfL and which offers resources, guidance and support to help promote the safe and responsible use of technology for young people.