Safer Internet Day 2025: helping to manage online risk and safer practices in the school

Young people are lucky enough to have access to an incredible array of technology; they have, permanently at their fingertips, the ability to research topics, analyse information, be endlessly creative, connect with others and an almost infinite range of further possibilities, which would have seemed like science fiction to those of growing up only a few decades ago. There is awesome potential for learning, creativity and productivity but, to a generation where technology is entirely embedded in their day-to-day lives, there is a concomitant level of risk. It is our job, as schools and parents, to help our young people navigate these risks, ensuring that they are not simply swept along with the tide of new technologies, but are mastering them; building good digital habits, with an awareness of the huge positives and the many pitfalls. 

It is, perhaps, hard for those of us who grew up in a more analogue age to appreciate just how embedded and important technology is in the lives of young people. It is, in many cases, at the core of how they interact with friends, consume news and other media, shop and much much more; in many ways the key prism through which they see the world. Young people may appear to be entirely at ease with the use of technology – quickly adapting to new trends, apps or tools from an incredibly young age, but this does not necessarily mean they have the maturity or perspective to realise the risks or to deal with issues when they arise. At Westonbirt, we tackle this through our PSHE programme, as well as assemblies, visiting speakers and parent events, with the aim of creating conversations between pupils, parents and the school about managing risks. 

There are multiple strands to consider, when it comes to managing risks online: cyberbullying and harassment; issues around privacy and data security; exposure to inappropriate content; impacts on mental health; misinformation and fake news. Each of these is made so much easier, and is so much more pervasive, than it might have been in the past.  

As tempting as it might be to shut all devices away in a cupboard and pretend they don’t exist, it’s important for us to educate pupils, to empower them to make good decisions and to help them build positive habits, which will stick with them for the rest of their lives. Encouraging critical thinking, responsible use of technology and ‘digital citizenship’ is fundamental, when it comes to enabling young people to make the most of the tools they have available to them. Working with parents, we encourage our pupils to have an awareness of the impact of devices on sleep, how to revise effectively, without the constant distraction of notifications, how to deal with messages or content which might be upsetting. We have filtering and monitoring systems in school, which help protect our pupils to a degree, but we are most concerned with enabling them to use technology effectively, wherever they are – at school, at home, or somewhere else entirely. Achieving that aim requires the school, parents and pupils to work together, with an open conversation about making good choices and avoiding the risks.