As soon as children have a smartphone, they are at risk of receiving and sending inappropriate images.
Sexting, or sending nude images, is tragically now completely normal between children; many of whom use tablets or smartphones, unsupervised, from as young as two years old.
Primary-aged children need to be taught how to stay safe online, what positive relationships look like (friendships and familial) and how to include everyone (not discriminate).
Since September 2023, we have reached over 1200 children, in 6 different primary schools, with multiple sessions and lessons.
Our new lessons and resources cover all seven strands of the government guidance on Relationships Education.
In one lesson, we looked at anger triggers and how to deal with situations differently, using both story and role-play.
Rachel, our schools’ worker, said:
“The children thoroughly enjoyed making the ‘Calm-down’ boxes and were really excited about using sensory items in class.
Playing ‘Zones of Regulation’ bingo went brilliantly, and they were very good at recognising what the emojis and symbols meant in relation to each of the four zones and can now translate these to their own emotions.”
“Another fun session was with year two, at St. James primary school, as they were looking at, Making Friends, Feeling Lonely and Getting Help.
We read a story about Eden, the Esteem Eagle (right) feeling lonely.
The children looked at different reasons someone might feel lonely using some picture cards. This might be due to bullying, moving to a new school, feeling left out, parents separating etc. They then thought about how to be a caring friend and ways of making new friends so that someone wouldn't be lonely anymore. The children all loved meeting Eden and wanted to be his friend.”
Many thanks to you and the Benefact Trust for funding this work.
