Google visits Hemel primary school to raise awareness of online safety

A primary school in Hemel Hempstead had a visit from Sir Mike Penning today (Friday, March 6) to discuss online safety with the pupils.

The event, at Hobbs Hill Wood Primary School, was hosted by Google to highlight their Be Internet Legends programme - an educational programme aimed at seven to 11-year-olds to help them be safe and confident online.

The programme includes teaching resources, face-to-face workshops and assemblies, online platforms and free training resources to over 19,000 teachers in the UK.

Rosie Luff, public policy manager at Google UK, said: “We are delighted to visit Hobbs Hill Wood Primary today to help teach children about how to Be Internet Legends.

"By getting acquainted with what we believe are the five core areas of online safety, we want to prepare children to have a safe and positive experience online.”

Be Internet Legends is in partnership with family internet safety experts Parent Zone, and it is accredited by the PSHE Association.

It consists of five key pillars, which children in Hemel Hempstead were taught today, to help them learn the essentials of how to stay safe online:

1. Be “internet sharp” – think before you share

2. Be “internet alert” – check it’s for real

3. Be “internet secure” – protect your stuff

4. Be “internet kind” – respect each other

5. Be “internet brave” – when in doubt, discuss

Vicki Shotbolt, founder and CEO of Parent Zone, said: “It is essential that children learn to think carefully and critically about what they do and see online.

"Parent Zone has teamed with Google to teach younger children the essential tools they need to become safe and confident online explorers, helping them be resilient, kind and positive in this digital age."

Children at Hobbs Hill Wood Primary were also shown Interland – a fun-filled adventure game to make learning about online safety fun and informative.

Children learn about avoiding hackers, phishers and bullies practising the skills learnt with the programme.

For more information visit: beinternetawesome.