Our E-Safety Zone teaches children about staying safe when using the internet. Whether playing online games, sharing photos or using social media, there are risks facing children online, we focus on teaching children at a key transition in their life, when they are on the verge of becoming adolescents and young adults. We aim to teach these vital messages when they are younger so they can make more informed decisions about what they do online in future years.

This facility is the first of its kind in the UK – teaching this important subject using interactive, impactful methods. The Zone will take groups of up to 48 pupils at any one time for a half-day learning experience. Students will participate in six different activities during their visit, each lead by an expert volunteer guide.

Subjects discussed in the E-Safety Zone include:

• Online grooming
• Cyber bullying & trolling
• Protecting personal information
• Sharing images and digital footprints
• Online phishing (scamming)
• Internet terms and what they mean (E.g. cookies, virus)
• The importance of having a trusted adult to talk to

Why is it needed?

Today, children and young people spend a lot of time online – it is a great way for them to have fun, explore, and socialise with friends. However, they also face risks such as cyber-bulling and seeing inappropriate content. A survey conducted for the CBBC Newsround (February 2016) found that 78% of 10-12-year olds in the UK use social media despite being under the age limit.

• 33.8% of students aged 12 – 17 have been victims of cyber bullying. (Cyberbullying Research Center, 2016)
• One in five, 8 – 11-year olds, and seven in ten, 12-15-year-old have a social media profile. (Ofcom, 2015)
• One in four children have experienced something upsetting on a social networking site. (Lilley, Ball, Vernon, 2014)

Take a look at what the students and teachers have to say about their experience: