Karl Hopwood, an independent online safety expert and member of UK Council for Child Internet Safety, as well as advisor to the UK Safer Internet Centre, CEOP, and the Boarding Schools' Association, visite d SMH on 4 th December to deliver internet safety education sessions to pupils from Lower Prep to Rudiments (Y3-Y8). Karl tailored his sessions to themes and messages aligned to the children's experience, including the problem of too much 'blue light' particularly before bedtime. He stressed the importance of speaking to an adult about anything unsettling you see online. With the older pupils, he spoke about cyberbullying, Deepfakes, how to respond if you are asked for or sent an unwanted image and the potentially serious consequences of sharing these.
He also addressed parents who were visiting for Christmas Parents' Weekend about how to support safe and healthy internet use and the importance of engaging with your child on this important issue.
