Psychologist Tanya Byron launches e-safety resource for primary schools

Child psychologist, professor Tanya Byron, is launching a set of resources called 'Know IT All” for primary teachers to help schools keep children safe online.

The interactive resources have been designed to empower all primary school employees to understand, tackle and teach e-safety issues to children. The tools are developed through funding from the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), Becta and the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS).

According to Ofcom, children as young as eight now use social networking services and mobile phones, so providing education and training in internet safety at a younger age has never been more important.

The move follows the recommendations made in the government-commissioned report by Byron who called for greater effort on the part of schools and government to educate and support young people in using the internet and digital technologies.

The tools also forms part of a set of the “Know IT All” resources including “Know IT All for Parents” which academy Childnet had produced, sponsored by Becta.
Stephen Crowne, Becta's chief executive said: "Enabling the whole school workforce to provide a safe environment for the use of ICT is one of Becta's key strategic aims. Previously, the know-it-all series has been successful in equipping and educating parents, secondary school teachers and trainees on how to keep children safe online."

Childnet's chief executive, Will Gardner, said: “Equipping children to use the internet and mobile phones safely is crucial and we need to do this at the time when children are first beginning to use these powerful tools. The ‘Know IT All’ resource, available free to primary schools, will provide a much needed and highly valued resource."

According to the TDA, the resources offer support in understanding e-safety issues in teaching and learning and includes effective learning resources to engage young children.

This new resource includes 3D animation specially designed for young children beginning to try new technology. Presented as five chapters, it includes a real life “smart crew” who guide the cartoon characters in their quest and help them make smart online decisions. It is available in CD format as well as on the Childnet’s website to be used in an assembly or a classroom setting.