Last week, ACS Cobham International School joined over 1,000 organisations across the UK and internationally to mark Safer Internet Day, promoting safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology.

Various members of the ACS Cobham community, including students, teachers and IT specialists, presented parent talks throughout the day, covering issues such as e-safety and ‘digital parenting’.

ACS Cobham is one of only a handful of schools in the UK to have specialist ‘IT Integrationists’, who led sessions for students about staying safe online, prompting lively discussions about social media, digital resilience and online privacy.

Apple Distinguished Educator, Julian Coultas, who works with schools internationally, was also a special guest for the day and hosted talks for parents about screen time, parental controls and security. To put this into practice, parents were then invited to take part in an online ‘digital parenting’ course.

Joining forces with the school’s IT experts, ACS Cobham students created interactive videos and posters presenting information to their peers, parents and staff about the safe use of the internet, from online gaming to Snapchat. Alongside this, High School students hosted a range of stalls offering advice to younger pupils.

Safer Internet Day 2017 reached millions across the UK and globally with the theme ‘Be the change: unite for a better internet’. Coordinated by the UK Safer Internet Centre, the celebration saw organisations including schools, businesses and local police forces, get involved to promote safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.

Dr Alexandra Read, IT Coordinator at ACS Cobham, commented: “The day is a great 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.  “We were pleased to see parents, students and staff learning more about this important subject and sharing their experiences and knowledge.”

Artice supplied by Helena Byrne Stevens