On Friday 27th April 2024, I was delighted to be asked to take part in The Westborough School’s Online Safety Assembly alongside presenters from Google.
The ‘Be Internet Legends’ programme is designed to help 7-11 year-old pupils become safer and more confident explorers of the online world.
The assembly covered the five main aspects of internet learning that support a child’s media literacy: staying Sharp about what you’re sharing online, being Alert to scams and misinformation, using tools to keep your devices Secure, being Kind with others online, and being Brave by talking to trusted adults about problems.
As I spoke to the children, I stressed how important it is to keep bedrooms screen free and leave their phone switched off in a drawer somewhere away from where they sleep.
I explained that this is key to a good night’s sleep which is essential for good mental and physical health, and will help keep them safe from cyber-bullying or being targeted by horrible people who might want to do them harm.
Educating our young people about how to be online and stay safe is absolutely vital. Letting young children go online without proper supervision is simply dangerous.
I was impressed by how engaged the children were at Friday’s assembly and they seemed to take in all the various messages of the talk.
My key point was for them to leave their phones switched off and downstairs when they go to bed. This will help protect them from entering into any unwise and late-night online chat and will ensure they get a good night’s sleep.
It’s a good habit to get into whatever age you are!
