Stay Safe in Cyber Space

Next week is national Anti-Bullying Week (18th – 22nd) and Safety Net is marking the week with a series of activities, information and events delivered in conjunction with local schools.

This year’s anti-bullying theme focuses on cyber safety and Safety Net is running a series of assemblies on the subject to be delivered in primary schools throughout the city, including Hertford, Elm Grove, St Nicholas, Rudyard Kipling and Woodingdean. The assemblies will raise awareness about the issues of cyber bullying and focus on practical measures that children and their parents can take to keep them safe in cyber space.

West Hove and St Andrews primary schools are holding dress-up days to highlight anti-bullying messages and six schools are completing our Cyber Safety survey for Years 5 and 6, the results of which will benchmark the level of cyber-safety issues within Brighton and Hove. Schools carrying out the survey during the week include St Marks, West Hove, Saltdean, Patcham Junior, St Bartholomews and Woodingdean.

Schools are also supporting the week by selling Safety Net’s bright yellow wristbands with the message “Stay Safe in Cyber Space”. Funds raised will support Safety Net’s anti-bullying work within local schools.

To further highlight safety messages to children, Safety Net has supported a group of children and young people to create a set of three fliers, “by children for children”, to be distributed to schoolchildren across Brighton and Hove during Anti-Bullying week. The fliers communicate safety messages around; using mobile phone functions safely; the “Stop, Think, Go” safety technique; and what to do if you have been victim of cyber bullying.

A young person who took part in the session said “I found making the tips helpful because I learned more about online bullying and I think the bookmarks will help other people” J (Boy, 12yrs)

Safety Net’s Director Terri Fletcher, said, “Anti – Bullying week is a fantastic opportunity to highlight to issue of bullying and in particular, cyber bulling which is in the increase. Safety Net is committed to making sure that children know that bullying is not acceptable and to making sure that parents and other adults are empowered to support children with this difficult issue.”

There is still time for schools to get involved with our Cyber Safety survey – please contact Den.McCartney@safety–net.org.uk to be sent the survey link.


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Note to editors:

Safety Net - Keeping children, young people and families safe is a charity with 19 years’ experience providing safeguarding advice and guidance to families, children and professionals across Brighton and Hove. http://www.safety-net.org.uk & http://www.safetynetkids.org.uk

Established by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, Anti-Bullying Week takes place on 18-22 November 2013 with a focus on cyber bullying in 2013.

For further comment please contact Terri Fletcher (Safety Net Director) on 01273 411613 or Den McCartney (Children and Yong People’s Team Manager) 01273 411613 or email den.mccartney@safety-net.org.uk.