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Description

Scouts will discuss their feelings on staying safe online.

This activity was originally created contribute to a government consultation about growing up in an online world. This is an opportunity for them to share their thoughts, perspectives, and ideas about staying safe online, helping to ensure their voices are reflected in the development of future policy and guidance in this area.

Resources

None

Instructions

Ask a leader to act as a scribe and record responses as closely as possible to what young people say. 2. Gather everyone together and explain:-

The government is currently asking for people’s views on online safety. In Scouts, we believe young people should have a say in things that affect them, so today we want to hear their thoughts.

Remind participants:
• Taking part is voluntary, they do not have to answer any questions they don’t want to.
• If anything is discussed or shared that means an adult/leader is worried about their, or someone else's, safety then adults/leaders will have a duty to report this to keep them and other young people safe
• They can write their answers instead of speaking if they prefer, they will just need to hand them to the leader writing the notes

Allow time for note-taking between topics.

Questions (Ask these in a conversational way where appropriate)

1. What do you think young people find hardest or most worrying about being online today?

o Try to keep this general o If a young person shares something personal, that is okay, a group leader should support them and follow the Yellow Card.

2. What help do you need to feel safe online, and where would you want to get that help? (from Scouts, the government, or websites/apps)

o You may give examples if needed, such as:
▪ Learning digital skills (e.g. Digital Citizen badge)
▪ Understanding safe websites (e.g. recognising https://)
▪ Spotting false information

o You can also ask where they currently find information if they haven’t been taught these skills.


3. What could the government do to help you feel safer and more supported online when you’re not at school (for example, through new rules or by funding support services)?

o You may prompt with examples like rules for apps/websites or support for young people.
o You could ask if they know about the online safety act and what it does:
o The Online Safety Act 2023 is a law designed to help keep people safe online. It means websites must do more to protect users, especially children, and remove harmful or illegal content.
o Do they think this act is working?

Tags

• discussions
• online safety

Badge Links

• Creative - Internet