Staying safe online

Year 6 girls learnt all about how to stay safe when using the internet this week when they welcomed an external drama group to school to present a play about how young people can protect themselves against potential dangers online.

In the play, the main character, known as Click, was asked by her friends to think about her actions and interactions online. It explored the idea that online friends are not necessarily friends – they are in fact strangers. Click’s real friends encouraged her to consider a broad range of aspects from sharing personal information through to content of profiles, peer pressure, grooming, bullying and the use of critical thinking to sensibly consider her choices. The story followed their conversations as Click’s friends explained to her about how her choices could be putting her at risk. The main message being that the internet is a fabulous resource, but we all need to be aware of the potential dangers.

Following the play the theatre group opened up the floor to questions and topics discussed included the impact of social media on mental health, the importance of ensuring that privacy settings are in place to prevent others from accessing personal data, the fact that all children should approach a parent, teacher or other trusted adult if they access content that upsets them, and the idea of developing healthy relationships based on trust, equality respect and good communication.