Release date: 08 February 2022
With social media and online gaming becoming more popular than ever - keeping children protected while on the Internet is seen as increasingly important.
Supporting children and young people around healthy relationships, mental health and wellbeing is the focus of the national Safer Internet Day 2022 (8 February) – with experts on hand to answer queries on how to maximise internet safeguarding.
West Sussex County Council’s Community Safety & Wellbeing Team is to host two free events aimed at discussing relevant issues and answer questions.
School staff, social workers, foster carers and mental health practitioners are also invited to attend a webinar on Monday 21 February from 10.30am to 1.30pm.
Parents are invited to ask anything about safeguarding children and young people online in a dedicated webinar on Wednesday 23 February from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.
Expert speakers will be delivering presentations on the risks of gaming and radicalisation, the dark web, and advice on how to help children build digital resilience.
People can also show their support for Safer Internet Day and obtain resources for schools or organisations by signing up to the UK Safer Internet Centre.
Duncan Crow, Cabinet Member for Community Support, Fire and Rescue, said: “The lines between the virtual and real world continue to blur. More than ever before, the Internet is constantly evolving and it’s hard to keep up to date with the rapid pace of change, so I think we all have questions about what is safe online and what isn’t.
“If we want young people to thrive, we must continue to educate them and those who look after them, about the do’s and don’ts of the internet – and importantly, how to stay safe.”
