24,000 children set out their vision for safer internet

24,000 school children have set out their vision for how to make the internet a safer and more enjoyable place, as part of the largest schools survey about internet safety conducted in the UK.

The ‘Have Your Say’ research, commissioned by the UK Safer Internet Centre to mark the 10th Anniversary of Safer Internet Day on 5th February 2013, asked primary school (7-11s) and secondary school (11-19s) children what they enjoy most about the internet, as well as the aspects of being online that they find concerning. It highlights where children already play a role in enjoying the internet safely and responsibly and uncovers opportunities to provide them with greater support.

The findings offer a valuable insight for how government, educators, families and the internet industry can work towards a safer internet future. They will be presented to government and industry stakeholders by children who took part in the survey at a Safer Internet Day Celebration event in London later today.

A road-map for a safer internet future - key findings

Primary age children are highly engaged with digital technology:

The majority of 7-11s (86%) use some form of online communication tool.
Most 7-11s (94%) say they have little trouble finding information for their school work on the internet.

Secondary age children are prolific online communicators:

96% of young people age 11-19 use some form of online communication tool.

Seeing unpleasant or hurtful things online affects a sizeable portion of this group:

27% of 7-11s and 41% of 11-19s came into contact with something online in the last twelve months that they deemed to be hurtful or unpleasant – examples cited include: scary videos, pictures and chainmail; ‘rude’ things and swearing; violent films or games.

Young people’s exposure to ‘mean comments’ hinders their enjoyment online:

31% of 7-11s and 23% of 11-19s cited gossip or mean comments being shared online as something that stopped them enjoying their time online.

Young people simply want the right to feel safe online:

This is the most important internet right for children of all ages, selected by over half (57%) of the primary age group and by nearly two-thirds (63%) of secondary age pupils.

Privacy settings are welcomed and used by young people, but knowledge could be improved:

58% of 7-11s and 74% of 11-19s using social networks said they changed their privacy settings from the default settings.
However, over 4 in 10 (42%) primary age social network users and almost 1 in 10 (9%) secondary age social network users were not sure if they had changed the settings or didn’t know how to.

Young people want online tools to help them manage reporting concerns:

Whilst the vast majority are aware that reporting tools are available to them:, 1 in 5 (20%) 7-11 year old social network users and 1 in 6 (16%) 11-19 year old social network users faced barriers in reporting.
Although among socials network users, 36% of 7-11s and 24% of 11-19s said they have reported something online.

Young people develop strong safety support networks amongst their peers:

32% of 7-11s and over half (53%) of 11-19s would tell a friend if something upset or worried them online.
Among primary school students who knew someone who had been cyberbullied (40%), 48% of this group had helped their friend.

Parents also play a pivotal support role, particularly to primary school children:

Four-fifths (79%) of 7-11s and two thirds (66%) of 11-19s said they would tell their parent or carer if something worried them online.

There is appetite, at all ages, for greater levels of education about internet safety:

80% of 7-19s said they had been taught about staying safe online in the last year.
However, over a third (35%) of 7 year olds and almost half (45%) of 16-19s say they have not been taught about staying safe online.

Edward Timpson, Minister for Children and Families said: “We know how important it is that young people are safe and supported while using the internet, and that parents are confident their children are protected from accessing harmful content.

“We have already taken great strides to make internet access more family friendly and we will continue to work with the industry, parents and young people to build an even safer internet in the future.”

Will Gardner, Chief Spokesperson for the UK Safer Internet Centre, said: “In our research young people clearly stated that they should have the right to feel safe online and they also recognise they have a responsibility in helping themselves and others be safe online, whether that's behaving kindly towards others or helping friends who are experiencing problems.

“We are delighted that so many young people have taken the opportunity of the survey to get their voice heard, and we hope it will act as a catalyst for encouraging individuals, families and companies to think about their role in ensuring the Internet is a great and safe place for children.”

Joe Godwin, Director of BBC Children’s said: “The BBC is once again delighted to be working in partnership with the UK Safer Internet Centre to support Safer Internet Day. With content across a range of BBC channels and brands, the BBC’s Share Take Care campaign is designed to help everybody, from young children to teenagers to their parents, to connect with respect. Parents too are well catered for with advice and tips about parental tools and films highlighting the risks of over-sharing for all the family.”

This year’s Safer Internet Day which focuses on the theme, “Connect with Respect” will bring together hundreds of high-profile partners to host free events and provide free resources and programmes, both on and offline. Partners include the BBC; CEOP; Facebook; Google; Disney; Mumsnet; Sky; Microsoft; the Industry Trust; BPI and many others. A full list of partners and what they are doing to support Safer Internet Day is available on the UK Safer Internet Centre website.

The UK Safer Internet Centre, which co-ordinates Safer Internet Day in the UK, has also launched a number of online resources for teachers, parents and carers, which are available to access for free from the UK Safer Internet Centre website. They include:

Connect with Respect Quiz - To help families test out their internet safety know-how, this online quiz covers issues related to being safe, responsible and respectful on social networks, online entertainment sites, gaming sites and mobiles. It provides users with an Internet Safety score and top tips on how to discover the digital world safely and responsibly.
Safer Internet Radio - A 12-hour radio broadcast will be hosted on the site throughout Safer Internet Day to help listeners share their inspiring stories and words of advice around popular online safety issues.
Conversation starters – There are five conversation starters to help families discuss online behaviour together.

Top Online Rights and Responsibilities – as voted for by young people

Primary Online Rights and Responsibilities Charter

1. I should feel safe and enjoy being on the internet

2. I should be able to tell someone if something has worried me on the internet

3. I should not be bullied on the internet, and should not bully others

4. I should help my friends stay safe on the internet

5. I should be able to report anything that worries me on the internet

6. I should be able to talk and play on the internet with my friends

7. I shouldn’t have to see unpleasant or hurtful things on the internet

8. I should know how to keep my personal information safe

9. I should be able to easily search the internet for information

10. I should learn how to stay safe on the internet