Protecting Children: Why Online Safety Education Needs to be Part of the National Curriculum - Take two
New Goverment, New Hope
Those of you who have known me from the start of my blogging journey will know that I previously tried to campaign for online safety education to be added to the national curriculum in the UK. There are numerous posts on my attempt that I brought over from Medium when I moved here. If you don’t know about it, you can read my first post below.
The Need
Are we all sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin!
In today's digital age, children are exposed to the online world from a very young age. While the internet offers incredible opportunities for learning and connection, it also presents many hidden dangers. That's why I'm resuscitating my campaign for comprehensive and standardised online child safety education, created by subject matter experts (SMEs), to be a mandatory element of the national curriculum in all UK schools.
Currently, the quality of online safety education varies significantly across the country. Some schools may have excellent programs, while others may lack the resources or expertise to be empowered to address this critical issue. This disparity leaves many children vulnerable and unprepared for the challenges they may face online.
My campaign will call for a standardised online child safety curriculum developed by professionals and experts from within cyber. This curriculum should cover a range of essential topics, including but not limited to:
Cyberbullying: Understanding what it is, how to prevent it, and how to respond to it.
Sextortion & Sexting: What it is, how to avoid it and what the consequences can be.
Privacy and Data Security: Learning how to protect personal information online.
Online Predators: Recognising the signs of online grooming and knowing how to stay safe.
Misinformation and Fake News: Developing critical thinking skills to evaluate online content.
Healthy Online Habits: Balancing screen time and promoting responsible online behaviour.
Social Media: Understanding privacy settings, reputation management, dangers of sharing personal information, fake profiles, the influence of social media, addiction and well-being.
By incorporating a comprehensive content package into the national curriculum, we can ensure that every child, regardless of location or background, receives the same standardised, high-quality education about online safety. This will empower them to navigate the digital world confidently and responsibly, minimising the risks and maximizing the benefits.
This would replace the current non-statutory guidance, which is nowhere near fit for purpose and tries to roll ‘some’ elements into statutory relationships and health education in primary schools and relationships, sex and health education in secondary school, but what is taught and how it is taught is left to the individual schools, which leads to the disparity I mentioned above and without a standard package of education created by SMEs it means we are doing children a huge disservice.
This isn't just about protecting children; it's about preparing them for the future. Digital literacy is an essential skill in today's world, and online safety is a crucial component of that literacy. By investing in online safety education, we're investing in the well-being and future success of all children.
What has Changed?
What has changed since my first attempt?
New Government, New Hope: With a new government in place, it presents me with a fresh opportunity to approach the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, with my proposal. I believe it's crucial to try again, as the landscape has changed and maybe their perspective on this vital issue, as the last incumbent in that role misunderstood what was in place, which consists of non-statutory guidance and is not standardised or mandatory.
Local MP Support: I'm delighted to share that my local MP, Brian Mathew, is backing my campaign. Their support provides a stronger voice and increased credibility when advocating for change. Thank you Brian!
The Need Remains: Despite the previous setback, the need for online child safety education has not diminished. In fact, with the ever-evolving digital landscape, it's more important than ever to equip children with the knowledge they need to stay safe online and through the materials provided to the children we can educate the parents too, which is what I have always tried to do through the Cyber Safety Guy Newsletter.
Call to Action:
Join me in calling for mandatory online safety education in all UK schools! Share this blog post also, consider contacting your local MP to voice your support for this campaign. Together, we can make a difference and protect children in the digital age.
This time around, I won’t be starting a petition as although there were nearly one thousand people who supported me, it was nowhere near the 100k needed to get a debate in parliament as there was no support from the media. I won't go over old ground here though as it’s all in my older posts, and the past is the past.
Am I a glutton for punishment?
Some might say so, but I prefer to think of myself as tenacious, persistent and committed to this cause. Yes, there are risks - I could face rejection again, or the campaign could falter due to lack of support. But there's also the possibility that it will succeed in making online safety education on the curriculum a reality.
I spent many years having to look at the results of child sexual exploitation, and if I can do anything to save even one child from ending up as another statistic or piece of evidence in a criminal case, then you better believe I am going to pick myself up off the floor no matter how many times I get knocked down. Just like this publication/blog of mine, I will never give up as long as I have breath in my lungs and the ability to pester anyone I can track down who can affect change.
Every setback is an opportunity to learn and adapt. My previous attempts may not have borne fruit, but it has taught me valuable lessons, and I feel better equipped to push forward and make a difference.
So here I go again. Wish me luck, and please continue to spread the word. Together, we can make online spaces safer for all children of all ages.
This one is a critical topic and I think without limiting the child there must be an educational approach to protect them.
Just a thought—would it be possible for you to start your podcast (if you haven’t already) to help concerned parents with their most pressing issues? Alternatively, you could join an established podcaster to bring up your topic for discussion. Perhaps you’ve already considered this.