As our young people navigate their way through the ever developing online world, it is important that us adults take the lead in supporting them to do so safely and responsibly, as well as guiding them to use technologies in a positive and constructive way.
The CfE Benchmarks for Technologies offer an age appropriate framework as to how we as practitioners approach this, setting out a clear line of progression in order to do this successfully.
Cyber Resilience and Online Safety go hand in hand, as outlined below:
What is CRIS?
Cyber resilience is associated with the device and the threats that you may encounter by your devices ability to access the internet. With phone ownership at 98% from age 12 in the UK*, it is increasingly important that we are teaching our learners to become cyber resilient. Teaching them how to recognise any threats on their device and what steps to take if they do come across any can go well towards navigating the online world responsibly.
Internet safety is about teaching our learners to be safe, showing them how to be smart online and being kind to others while interacting online. Digilearn Scot use the slogan ‘Safe – Smart – Kind.’
The Digilearn Scot website (Cyber Resilience and Internet Safety – DigiLearn (glowscotland.org.uk)) has a wealth of resources to support teachers with both professional development on the topic and lesson resources to use with pupils. The teacher toolkit that you can find here has a vast amount of resources split into three different sections, consume, create and communicate.
*Ofcom: Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes 2023
Resources
There are number of resources available to you but here are just a few suggestions to get you started:
| Es and Os | Resources | |
| I can explore, play and communicate using digital technologies safely and securely. TCH 0-03a | Digiduck Stories | Childnet The Digiduck® collection of stories is aimed at learners aged 3 – 7. The collection includes ebooks, PDFs and a collection of lesson plans and resources. Smartie the Penguin | Childnet Smartie the Penguin story. There are two versions of the story that cover different themes depending on the age of the learners. The Bongles Learn about Cyber Resilience through the story of the Bongles and the Crafty Crows. Animated story, free book for schools and accompanying lesson packs. ASL – Lego Build and Talk Safer Internet Day – SEND | |
| I can extend my knowledge of how to use digital technology to communicate with others and I am aware of ways to keep safe and secure. TCH 1-03a | RSHP Lesson Plans Lesson plans with full guidance on how to deliver and lead discussions on the subject of being ‘Safe and Happy Online Jessie & Friends: online safety education for 4-7s (thinkuknow.co.uk) The Thinkuknow website has a wealth of resources for teachers. The Jessie and Friends series includes a resource pack for teachers with animations, lesson plans and songs. SMART Crew guidance and activities | Childnet Kara and Winston and the Smart Crew is a series of cartoons that covers various topics. There is accompanying packs for teachers available to download. ASL – Lego Build and Talk Safer Internet Day – SEND | |
| I can explore online communities demonstrating an understanding of responsible digital behaviour and I’m aware of how to keep myself safe and secure. TCH 2-03a | RSHP Lesson Plans: Lesson plans with full guidance on how to deliver and lead discussions on the subject of ‘Online/Offline Friends’, ‘Where do we go Online’ and ‘Being Smart Online’ Online Safety Resources for Teachers – Be Internet Legends Be Internet Legends includes a resource pack with lesson plans available for teachers to download. Each lesson is linked to a game that pupils can play on their Empowered Learning iPad. The game reinforces what the pupils have learned in that lesson and provides a form of assessment to check the pupils understanding of what has been taught. | |
| I can keep myself safe and secure in online environments and I am aware of the importance and consequences of doing this for myself and others. TCH 3-03a | CEOP - The Internet, Relationships and You RSHP Lesson Plans: Lesson plans with full guidance on how to deliver and lead discussions on the subject of Me Online , Netiquette and Sending and Sharing Images ASL – Childnet – Star SEND (suitable for 11-16) | |
| I can explore the impact of cyber-crime for business and industry and the consequences this can have on me. TCH 4-03a | RSHP Lesson Plans Lesson plans with full guidance on how to deliver and lead discussions on the subject of ‘Social Media Fake News‘ ASL – Childnet – Star SEND (suitable for 11-16) |
Edinburgh Learns Digital 