UKSIC responds to CMOs’ commentary on screen-based activities
The UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) advocates the safe and responsible use of technology for young people and we welcome the UK Chief Medical Officers’ (CMOs) advice of a balanced approach to screen-based activities. At the UKSIC we encourage families to use digital devices together, create family rules and for adults to act as positive role models for young people. We are pleased that the CMOs have signposted UKSIC’s resources in their advice to parents and carers.
Guidance from the CMOs includes advice on sharing content online. Coordinated in the UK by UKSIC, Safer Internet Day 2019 on the 5th February saw thousands of schools and organisations mark the day by learning about consent in a digital world. The resources are available to download from our website and include Education Packs for use in lessons and assemblies, accompanying SID TV videos to start conversations with young people and top tips for staying safe online.
Research conducted to mark Safer Internet Day 2019 reveals how sharing and viewing screen-based content is integral to the lives of young people. The findings highlight that young people can get into difficulty when navigating consent online, emphasising the responsibility that we all have to support children and young people.
The UKSIC has developed a range of services and resources for young people, parents, teachers, healthcare staff and other members of the children’s workforce. We are proud of the successes we have achieved in the field of online safety and we will continue to work with schools, industry and government to make the internet a better place for children and young people.
Information and resources for children, parents and carers:
- Report Harmful Content Online – the cross-platform social media advice and reporting service
- The Family Agreement – the family agreement template provides a framework that helps families set clear expectations for positive and safe internet use
- Screen time and healthy balance activities
- Screen time boundaries advice for parents
- Digital wellbeing – guidance for parents and carers on how they can support their child at different ages of their life with their digital wellbeing
- SMART rules – the rules for primary aged children on how to be smart and stay safe online
- Keeping under 5s safe online
Information, resources, guidance and services for professionals working with children and families:
- Online Safety Live – Free online safety briefings for professionals working with children and young people
- The Professionals Online Safety Helpline – The UK’s only helpline dedicated to assisting the children’s workforce with online safety issues
- Responding to incidents of sexting, covering questions of whether to escalate to law enforcement.
- Understanding, preventing and responding to cyberbullying, guidance for schools.
- Online sexual harassment among children
- The SWGfL Store – A range of free and paid-for online safety resources including information leaflets, postcards and booklets
- Online Safety Training –
Information and advice for professionals working with children on how to protect themselves and their professional reputation:
- The Professionals Online Safety Helpline – The UK’s only helpline dedicated to assisting the children’s workforce with online safety issues
- Social networking safety
- 360 degree Safe – the free online safety self-review tool for schools
- Report Harmful Content – the cross-platform social media advice and reporting service
