Open Tech Calendar

THIS EVENT IS CPD CERTIFIED

This timely seminar will examine the latest thinking on the relationship between young people and digital technology - looking at empowerment, digital literacy and online safety.

The seminar will be an opportunity to discuss the further steps that might be taken by policymakers and schools to empower young people online and develop their digital resilience and literacy, following calls from the Children’s Commissioner to allow schools to be more creative in how they address these issues in the curriculum.

Delegates will also discuss key issues around young people’s use of social media, following the Commissioners’ Life in Likes report which highlighted the adverse effects it can have on 8-12 year old’s mental health and well-being.

The seminar is also timed to follow the Government’s upcoming response to the consultation on its Green Paper on Internet Safety Strategy, and further sessions will look at what more might be done to ensure that children can browse safely online - with a particular focus on the responsibilities of media organisations.

Overall, areas for discussion include:

Digital literacy and skills: examining the responsibilities of schools, parents and technology providers in supporting and empowering children to navigate their digital worlds;
Online safety: priorities for improving safeguarding for young people online - including preventing child sexual exploitation, online grooming and radicalisation; and
Social media and technology: latest thinking on young people’s use of social media and new technologies - particularly teenagers - looking at including potential benefits for learning, and challenges for tackling sexting and cyberbullying.