Childnet Digital Leaders Programme launching in September 2015

Childnet have today announced that registration is now open for their new peer-to-peer education programme for secondary schools. Launching in September 2015, the Childnet Digital Leaders Programme aims to empower young people to champion digital citizenship and digital creativity within their schools and to educate their peers, parents and teachers about staying safe online.

The programme will offer pupils structured training and ongoing support from Childnet’s team, helping make e-Safety learning fun and effective and ensuring that schools deliver an outstanding whole school community approach to e-Safety. Supported by Facebook and the European Union the programme will connect young people with other Childnet Digital Leader schools across the UK, and will give young people opportunities to chat with top tech companies and have a say in creating a better internet for the future.

Childnet’s CEO, Will Gardner, said: “This year Childnet turns twenty and we’re excited to be launching a new youth programme, which will help transform your school’s approach to e-safety, putting young people at the heart of the solution. We have been piloting this programme over the last year, with support from Facebook, and the impact of the programme is clear - from safer online behaviours of pupils to improved e-safety policies and wider."

Childnet have been  inspired by the achievements of the young people and schools involved in the pilot programme, and are excited to work with more young people across the UK over the coming years. Following the success of their Up2Us film, which involved working with 150 schoolchildren s to celebrate Safer Internet Day, Childnet believe that young people have the power to create a kinder and better online community and want want to help unlock this potential through this new programme. More information about the programme can be found at www.childnet.com/digital-leaders.

Schools can also email Childnet's Education Managers, Caroline and Gareth, at [email protected] to receive a school information pack.