The internet is a vital part of modern life. When you log on
at home or at school, when you use your mobile phone or i-pod,
when you play online games – the internet opens up a world
full of fun, new information, and new friends to meet and
socialise with.
But with all the opportunities that the internet brings,
it’s also important to know how to stay in control when
you’re online, and what do to and who to go to if something
goes wrong. This could be anything – like someone stealing
your password and getting hold of your personal info; being
bullied over text or social networking sites; or chatting
with someone online who isn’t who they say they are.
That kind of thing can happen whatever your age. And as well
as keeping yourself safe online, it’s important to help
others feel confident about using the internet in a
responsible way – people like our friends, parents, brothers
and sisters.
That’s why we want you to design a resource that would
help teach other people about what they should think about
and do to make sure that they stay safe online.
The competition – design an original resource to teach
others about online safety.
The competition is about how you would teach others about
online safety, and it’s broken down into three main
categories:
A. Resources for primary school-age children
B. Resources for secondary school-age young people
C. Resources for parents and grandparents.
There is also a special category for adults, like teachers,
youth workers and even parents, to enter a resource that
they have developed to help teach children and young people
about staying safe online.
D. Original resources for children and young people
What do I have to do?
First you need to think about who needs to know about using
the internet safely, and what kind of risks they might come
across on-line. You could also think about the things that
they might enjoy about the internet. What your younger or
older brothers or sisters will need to think about will be
different from you and your friends, or your parents and
grandparents.
So think about what you would want to tell them to keep them
safe, and then think about how you could best communicate
that to them. There are 3 main ways that you could choose to
do this:
1) Artwork - you could design a poster, create a
game, compose a photograph, or do a sculpture or painting.
2) Creative writing - you could write a poem or song;
a rap or a story.
3) Performance - you could direct a short film or
animation (5 mins max); write a play, or drama script; or
choreograph a dance.
Think about how other people would be able to use what you
have created. Do you need to write instructions to help them
understand what to do and what they should think about when
they are using your resource?
What could make a prize-winning entry? We are looking for entries that could easily be used by
other people to help raise awareness about internet safety.
Something that is innovative, and original, and that help
get people thinking about what internet safety means to
them, and what they can do to stay in control online.
There is also a new digital code – Zip it, Block it, Flag
it (
www.clickceop.net ) aimed at helping you remember how
you can stay safe. So you may want to include that message
into your resource in some way.
Who can take part? Anyone under the age of 16 can enter categories A, B
and C. You don’t have to enter the category for the
group that is the same age as you – in fact, it would be
better if you thought about how you would teach someone
younger, or older than you about what they should know about
online safety. For example, if you in secondary school you
might want to develop a resource for primary school
children; or if you are in primary school, you could think
about how you would tell your grandparents about internet
safety.
Adults working with children and young people can enter
category D and submit an original resource that they
have developed to explore issues around online safety.
When is the deadline?
The deadline for all entries is Thursday 1st April,
so there is plenty of time to get involved. Winners will be
notified after the Easter holidays.
How do I enter?
Just post us your entry to the address at the bottom of the
entry form, making sure that you attach the form to your
submission. Make sure you clearly mark what category you are
entering, and whether it is a group or individual entry.
Please complete an entry form for every individual
submission.
What are the prizes?
The winners from each category will receive digital video
cameras. Their entry will be posted online, and may then go
into a resource pack for people teaching others about
internet safety.
Where can I find out more information?
If you are a young person who wants to find out more, call
the Young Scot Info Line on 0808 801 0338 or email
info@youngscot.org
Alternatively, please email
CPRP@scotland.gsi.gov.uk , with the title Internet
Safety Competition in the subject heading.
