On Tuesday 11th February it is Safer Internet Day. 

Safer Internet Day is celebrated globally in February each year in over one hundred countries to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people and inspire a national conversation. Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre the celebration sees hundreds of organisations get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. The day offers the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community. It calls upon young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies, policymakers, and wider, to join together in helping to create a better internet.

This year the theme is 'Together for a better internet - online identity' and as an Academy we will also be putting our own spin on this with a focus on 'Digital Footprints'.

This year we are exploring whether young people feel free to be themselves online. We will explore how young people manage their online identity, and how the internet shapes how they think of themselves and others. We will look at whether the internet allows young people to experiment and express themselves, or if they feel limited in who they can be online. 

Through our work as an academy, we also know that one of the biggest issues facing pupils today is their inappropriate use of social media. We will be stressing the importance of using social media correctly and highlighting the long term impacts  - a negative comment or silly photo today could have an impact on their jobs in the future!

For more information please go to our internet safety page or www.saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/2020

We will also be working alongside Kempsey, Welland and Hanley High this week with some joint  Safer Internet day activities. 

It has also come to our attention recently that a large number of pupils are using their digital technologies in their bedroom. Please remember that research shows that this is the worst place for pupils to have technology. They take more risks and keep more things secret! Keep it down stairs or in a communal room.

For more information on anything to do with internet safety please come and speak to us.