Aureus school Hosts Online Safety Events to Support Pupils and Parents

Aureus School is encouraging families to talk more openly about the dangers of social media.

Aureus School Hosts Events to Address Online Safety Challenges for Young People

Aureus has organised a series of events aimed at confronting the increasing challenges of online safety for youth. The school united students, parents, and staff to discuss issues related to social media, smartphone usage and emerging technologies.

Initiative Overview

The initiative encompassed:

• Student assemblies
• Staff training
• Parent-focused sessions

All activities are designed to foster open discussions about online behaviour and safety. Headteacher Kirsty Rogers emphasised the goal of empowering both children and adults to feel comfortable discussing their online encounters.

“Teenagers sometimes hesitate to mention when they see something unsettling, so we aim to facilitate that conversation,” Ms. Rogers stated. “We also want parents to engage in these discussions without it turning into a conflict.”

Changing Landscape of Technology

Ms Rogers noted the rapid evolution of technology since the beginning of her career, highlighting how constant internet access through smartphones has transformed the landscape. “When I started teaching, the primary concerns revolved around computer usage; now, those computers are literally in our children’s pockets,” she explained. She pointed out the need for parents to be informed about the platforms their children may be using. “It’s essential for parents to understand these apps and their functionalities, especially since many allow interaction with strangers,” Ms. Rogers remarked.

Broader Context and Concerns

The school’s initiative aligns with growing concerns across Oxfordshire and the UK regarding children's online experiences. Ms Rogers referenced wellbeing surveys indicating that some children, as young as 10, are inadvertently exposed to inappropriate content. “They're not actively seeking it out; it appears in their feeds or is shown to them by friends,” she noted. “We want children to feel comfortable coming home and discussing things they've seen that made them uncomfortable or confused.” She stressed that these conversations are vital for parents to effectively guide and protect their children.

Collaborative Approach to Online Safety

To heighten awareness of online dangers and address these issues, the school has merged in house expertise with external specialists. Ms Rogers emphasised the necessity of additional support to keep pace with the rapid technological developments. “Schools currently struggle to keep up with the speed of change, such as AI and its implications for students,” she remarked. “We need to engage experts whose role is to research and educate us, staff, parents and children alike.”

Advocating for Stricter Measures

Ms Rogers expressed her support for stricter national regulations, including the restriction of social media access for individuals under 16. “I firmly believe in a social media ban; as a nation, we aren’t doing enough to protect our children,” she asserted. “We shouldn’t be educating primary school children about harmful online content; instead, we should wait until they are mature enough to comprehend it,” she added. She cautioned that current social media habits could adversely affect young people's mental health and wellbeing.

Promoting Offline Activities

In addition to digital education, Aureus School is encouraging offline activities to help students develop friendships and confidence. From clubs like Warhammer and darts to dance and other interests, the school promotes real-life connections among students. “We want students to engage face-to-face. That’s a fundamental human need,” Ms. Rogers concluded.