Safer Internet Day 2020 Educational resources for 11-14-Year Olds

Safer Internet Day 2020 will be celebrated globally on Tuesday 11th February 2020, and in the UK we are focusing on the theme of online identity. 

For Safer Internet Day 2020, the UK Safer Internet Centre has created educational resources for young people aged 3-18-years old. In this blog, we will be taking a closer look at the resources which have been tailor-made for 11-14-year olds.

In the UK, we choose an annual theme that we think best suits the current landscape of online safety and the issues that young people may face online. This year, we are encouraging young people to explore how they manage their online identity and think about how the internet shapes their view of themselves and others.

We will look at whether the internet allows young people to experiment and express themselves, or if they feel limited in who they can be online, and how offline stereotypes and discrimination are challenged or reinforced online. By opening up conversations around online identity, we aim to inspire young people to support each other in being who they want to be, to celebrate difference, and help work towards creating a truly inclusive internet.

Each year, to help schools to celebrate Safer Internet Day, we create a range of educational resources that look at the theme in a way that is suitable for children and young people of different ages.

The pack for 11-14-year olds explores the UK theme of online identity, with a particular focus on celebrating and supporting different identities online.

The pack includes a lesson plan and assembly – both of which consider why some groups of people may feel excluded, unrepresented, or unable to be themselves online. Additionally, the pack includes activities to support young people in making positive changes online by becoming allies for those in need.

The pack also includes a selection of quick activities, which can be used to celebrate Safer Internet Day more widely as a school or community, and a guide for establishing a safe and supportive learning environment when tackling this theme.

This pack focuses on celebrating and supporting different identities online by considering whether everyone is fairly treated and represented.

In particular, the lesson plan aims to help young people consider the barriers experienced by some people which prevent them from expressing themselves freely online, and offers a range of strategies for working together to make the internet a more inclusive space for everyone. 

The assembly delivers a similar message but also seeks to empower participants to think about what they can do to make a positive change online. Young people will be invited to reflect on the words of Sir Tim Berners Lee:

“The web is for everyone and collectively we hold the power to change it.”

The lesson plan for 11-14-year olds includes three first-person descriptions from young people about their experiences online. These have been designed to provoke a range of emotional responses whilst allowing the lesson participants to reflect on some of the challenges of representation online in a safe and supportive environment. 

The activity includes a number of key questions for discussion and should encourage participants to have an open and frank conversation about the theme of online identity, without pressure or having to share personal experiences. Everyone is then given an opportunity to respond to the different character descriptions, with the follow-up activities also providing a range of practical strategies which will support participants in tackling some of the issues they are likely to discuss.

You can link up with the wider campaign taking place across the UK – and globally in over 130 countries – by joining the social media campaign and registering as an official supporter.

Simply complete our registration form to become an official supporter on our website and receive your supporter certificate.

Plus, download our template to make your pledges for the Safer Internet Day social media campaign #freetobe. 

Visit www.saferinternetday.org.uk for: