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Digital safety lessons with year 620 July 2023
In recent months, Guernsey Police's Digital Safety Development Officer has been in local primary schools talking to year 6 children about how they can be safe as they start to develop an online presence
The newly appointed DSDO, Laura Simpson, has been leading the programme, which is the first of a new collection of lessons around digital safety, and has been preparing young people ahead of the summer holidays.
The lessons included discussion and dilemmas around a range of activities which local young people may wish to take part in over the summer, and ways children can have conversations with their families around having fun while keeping safe, both online and outside.
Ms Simpson, a former primary school teacher and theatre practitioner, designed the lessons in response to the issue of young people congregating and engaging in anti-social behaviours.
She said the response from the children she has worked with has been very encouraging:
"Generally speaking, our year 6 children appear to have a really good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. The level of engagement with the lessons has been terrific - I can't think of a single child who didn't engage in a positive and constructive way. It's a tricky subject to tackle, especially as different families have vastly different rules and boundaries around what their children are allowed to do, and with differing level of adult supervision, but this has only added to the rich discussion, and furthered the children's learning."
Ms Simpson's appointment will allow Guernsey Police to undertake more preventative work around the complex world of digital safety, both in schools and the wider community. Part of the High-Tech Crime Unit, Ms Simpson is also working closely with the Schools' Liaison Officer PC Nick Boughay, as well as colleagues in Education and the Island Safeguarding Children Partnership (ISCP).
Sue Coughlin, Headteacher of Haute Capelles Primary School and chair of the ISCP Online Safety Sub-committee was integral to the role development and appointment process.
She said:
"We are delighted with the appointment of a digital safety development officer. The role will enable direct input with students and provide support for families too. The role enables joint working between several agencies all focused on ensuring our young people have the knowledge and support to develop as positive digital citizens."
Ms Simpson has already worked with over 1200 people including school children, education, social work and safeguarding professionals, and those in the third sector, providing training, support and advice.
Deputy Chief Officer Phil Breban said:
"Issues around digital safety and people's presence online, particularly among young people, are increasingly coming to the police's attention. While in an enforcement sense we continue to look at how we can ensure our laws are up to date to keep us safe, engagement and education are also vital in this area. As such, we are very pleased to have been able to appoint Laura who will allow Law Enforcement to have a presence in schools focusing on digital matters - this, alongside the work Education already do, will see young people properly educated as to how to be safe online, how to behave online, and how to interact with others online."