Safer Internet Day!

From phishing scams to fake profiles, students at Overton Grange School in Sutton are preparing to outsmart online threats as they take part in Safer Internet Day on February 11th.

Safer Internet Day is the UK’s biggest awareness day for online safety. Each year it covers an online issue or theme that speaks about the things young people are seeing and experiencing online. The event is created in consultation with young people from across the UK.

“At Overton Grange we take online safety very seriously,” said Miss Treagus, Assistant Headteacher, Pastoral Care & DSL. “And this year’s Safer Internet Day theme of ‘scams online’ and how young people can protect themselves and others is extremely relevant. 

“We cover online safety in our Computer Science and Citizenship lessons, have access to presentations/guest speakers in Tutor time and assemblies as well as having detailed information for pupils and parents on our website. But it’s always good to raise awareness and get everyone talking and sharing their thoughts and making sure our pupils have the skills to navigate the digital world with caution and confidence.”

According to Ofcom, the communication services regulator, almost three quarters of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 have encountered one or more potential harms online. Three in five secondary school-age children have been contacted online in a way that potentially made them feel uncomfortable. 

“Almost every young person has a mobile phone and access to the internet,” said Miss Treagus. “So, it’s vital they know how to be safe online as well as know what support is available.

“This Safer Internet Day will give our pupils the chance to share their experiences and ideas on how to tackle the problem. We’ll also be exploring wider topics like how is changing technology like generative AI going to impact the approach of scammers? What role can the government and internet industry take to tackle this threat? And what changes would young people like to see to help protect themselves moving forward?

“These are all relevant and important questions for our pupils in this digital age.”