Every year in February, Safer Internet Day is celebrated around the world.

The global theme is ‘together for a better internet’. This year's focus in the UK is how young people explore and express their identity online. The UK Safer Internet Centre has launched a series of short films called 'How can parents talk to children about their online lives?'

Click here to watch the films

Usage Statistics:

• Over one in five 3-4s (21%) have their own tablet and 53% spend around 8 hours a week online. (Source: Ofcom)
•  71% of 5-7s use YouTube to watch videos and 30% say watching cartoons are their favourite thing to watch. (Source: Ofcom)
• There are 74% 12-15s with a social media profile. (Source: Ofcom)
• Facebook has over 1.4 billion registered users. (Source: Facebook)
• The average person on Facebook has 338 friends. (Source: PEW Research 2014)
• 94% of children aged 8-11s spend 13¹/₂ and 99% of 12-15s are online for 21 hours a week. (Source Ofcom)
• There are over 100 billion searches on Google each month. (Source: Google)
• There are over 500 million Tweets every day. (Source: Twitter)
• The number of text messages sent in the UK is falling (now estimated at just 170 per person per month) in favour of instant messaging (such as WhatsApp). (Source: Ofcom)
• YouTube is the most recognised content provider among 12-15s, with 94% saying they’d heard of it and 48% saying they’d miss it the most if taken away. (Source: Ofcom)
• One in ten 12-15s have shared videos using a live streaming service. (Source: Ofcom)
• Two in five parents of 12-15s are concerned about their child being bullied through their phone or how much time their children are spending on their phones. (Source: Ofcom)
• Concerns among parents of 5-15s are also higher than in 2016 for time spent gaming and all related gaming content. (Source: Ofcom)

Words of advice for our pupils

The Internet is not going away, it is a fantastic tool, but you have to use it intelligently. Please, think about what you are doing, who you are speaking to and most importantly, keep your information private. Last word from me, it is a criminal offence to store an indecent image of an underage person on your phone.  Even if it is your image, of yourself, on your phone! Think twice, click once.

If you have any concerns about something you have seen online or that you are worried about, come and speak to any of us, your Housemasters and Housemistresses your Matrons, or your Tutors. Or, you can report it yourself on reportharmfulcontent.com.

Malcolm Jeffrey - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (eSafety and Prevent)