The simple message that ‘if it is unacceptable offline then it is unacceptable online’ is the focus of Safer Internet Day 2019 at John Lyon.

Held today (Tuesday 5th February) and throughout the week, activities based around the themes of big data and consent have been designed to help John Lyon pupils think about how much of their personal lives they share online, how they stay safe, and how what they post now might affect them in the future, both positively and negatively, specifically in regard to employability.

Safer Internet Day is a global awareness day which acts as a call to action for people, organisations, companies and governments to join together and play their part in creating a better internet for everyone, especially younger users. Specifically in Great Britain, the UK Council for Internet Safety is focusing on the message that ‘if it is unacceptable offline then it is unacceptable online’, making internet users aware that some things said online could be seen as offensive and indeed perhaps criminal if said offline.

In its desire to improve laws surrounding online behaviour and make the UK the safest place to be online, a new reporting function has been created that allows pupils to both seek guidance, and report harmful content to national agencies: reportharmfulcontent.online

As part of John Lyon’s Safer Internet Day efforts, the School is asking both pupils and their parents to look more closely at their internet use, with the help of a number of resources made available through the School’s Parent Portal.

Teacher of English and the School’s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Miss Jade Boyle, said: “I encourage you to use this week to strike up conversations with your son about his internet use and online profiles. You may even ask him to carry out an audit of his online usage and profiles, draw up a family pact to limit technology usage at home, or challenge yourself to a digital detox for the week. I have uploaded some resources on the Parent Portal, which might be of interest.

“Whilst it is paramount that boys learn how to keep themselves safe online, we acknowledge that the digital world is also one of opportunity and well over 80% of employers are now head-hunting and hiring candidates based on their online portfolios. We will, therefore, be spending the week encouraging boys to use this to their advantage and create a positive online footprint. Some ideas of how to do this could include creating a social media account that showcases interests, hobbies or achievements; using Twitter to follow sensible people in a field of interest such as politicians or photographers and designers, engaging with LinkedIn to showcase experience and achievements so far; or letting the world see a practical talent via a YouTube channel.”

John Lyon is an independent school, a member of HMC, ISC and is reviewed in the Good Schools Guide.

Pupils typically join John Lyon in Years 7, 9 and 12, largely from a North West London catchment area including Harrow, Wembley, Stanmore, Pinner, Watford, Rickmansworth, Northwood, Ruislip, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Ickenham, Northolt, Southall, Ealing, Acton, Edgware, Brent Cross, Finchley, Barnet, Camden, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, as well as other parts of Middlesex, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.

See forthcoming open events, concerts and exhibitions on our What’s On page.