Using the internet and being online has become part of everyday life for young people. The use of devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones is part of home and school life, offering a wealth of knowledge, interaction, and information at the touch of a button.
Whilst this is a great resource for young people, we are aware of the potential risks this has. We know that children in care can be more vulnerable because of early experiences or the instability of being in care, therefore we felt it was important to help ensure that young people were informed and aware of the potential risks of being online.
In January 2017, across 2 sessions, Internet Awareness was delivered to 11 young people aged 8-14. The sessions were aimed at raising awareness with young people in order to support them in using the internet safely, responsibly and positively. The young people took part in discussions and activities to:
- Increase their knowledge of Internet Safety
- Be more aware of the dangers of sharing information online
- Have an understanding of their Digital Footprint
- Be aware of the risks that may present themselves with online use
- Have an understanding of how to identify and protect themselves from the risks attached to online use
- Access peer support with others in similar situations
The young people who attended fed back that they benefited from the opportunity to meet with other young people who shared experiences to explore the topic of internet safety and although they had learnt about some areas of this through avenues such as school or home, they felt that they learnt new information and strategies to keep themselves safe.
It is hoped that the awareness sessions can be delivered later in the year to other young people.
If this has inspired you to foster, please get in contact with us by sending us an enquiry, or by phoning us on 0333 240 9049.