Safer Internet Day is marked annually on the second Tuesday in February, but given the importance of this area, we decided to dedicate the whole week to this initiative.
This year’s theme is safe and responsible use of AI. Throughout the week we considered not just this year’s theme, but also wider issues related to online safety. Topics and sessions were led by the Digital Prefects, Digital Ambassadors, staff and external experts, to pupils and to parents, on the Memorial Hall stage and in the more informal setting of our boarding houses.
The Digital Ambassadors presented to all pupils in the week’s assemblies on ‘Two Truths and AI – The Importance of Critical Thinking When Viewing AI-Generated Content Online’. This was supported by house visits to every house where the risk of cognitive debt and how to make the most of AI for supporting our learning was discussed. For pupils, additional materials are now available on their Connect pages.
A webinar was held for parents which focused on supporting young adults in navigating the online world. Matt Himsworth from B5 Consultancy (B5 Consultancy) led the session and he and his team will be working with Shell and Remove pupils later in the term. B5 Consultancy work in both education and sports settings – providing advice and support with regards to developing healthy online and social media habits and avoiding risky behaviours, and interactive sessions on keeping safe and protecting your data and identity online.
At the end of the week, Karl Hopwood visited Marlborough to speak to Shell parents as part of their parents’ meeting programme. Karl is an online safety expert: a member of UKCIS (UK Council for Internet Safety), on the advisory board for the UK Safer Internet Centre, Chair of the board of trustees of Childnet International and Chair of the executive committee of SACPA (Safeguarding and Child Protection Association). He also hosted an additional open session at lunchtime to coincide with half-term pick-up for any parents or members of staff wishing to update their knowledge with regards to online safety.
As part of our ongoing programme in this area, Amy Adderley, our Director of Digital Wellbeing, has continued to visit boarding houses working with pupils from all year groups. The focus for this term is on what pupils are using their phones for, helping them minimise distractions, and how phones can be used to assist learning. This is particularly focused on those year groups with external exams ahead and revision over the school breaks. This term, the Hundred are covering understanding AI bias and AI chatbots as part of the already established PSHEE curriculum, and these sessions will also run for the Shell and Remove in the Summer Term.
