Pupils pilot cyber security initiative

Schoolchildren in Gloucestershire are the first in the country to take part in a planned UK-wide initiative designed “to protect and equip children to remain safe online”. Cyber4Schools aims to help students, parents and teachers understand the basics of cyber security. Year seven pupils at Chosen Hill School in Churchdown, Gloucester, are piloting the programme, which will promote a change in online behaviour among 11 year olds – an age when research suggests many children receive their first mobile or smartphone. Gloucestershire police and crime commissioner (PCC) Martin Surl explained: “Young people like to exercise their independence so it’s vital we find the best way of getting through to them, not by telling them not to use the internet but giving them advice on how to protect themselves when they are online”. Cyber4Schools is being delivered by The Cyber Trust in partnership with the education and research organisation Corsham Institute (Ci). Gloucestershire Police is supporting the pilot, together with the Office of the PCC, Cyber Security Challenge UK and Gloucestershire County Council. Rachel Neaman, Ci’s chief executive officer, said: “With this pilot we are taking the first step towards achieving our ambition of a nationwide schools programme to protect and equip children to remain safe online. We are encouraging like-minded people and organisations to support this exciting initiative.” Professor Richard Benham, chair of The Cyber Trust, and Ci programme director, Cyber, Trust and Security, added: “There are an increasing number of children, young adults and teachers who are falling victim to cyber bullying, cybercrime and exploitation. Perpetrators are getting increasingly savvy and sophisticated with their interactions. This is serious cause for concern which is why we are committed to addressing it with this programme.” Tim Rogers of Chosen Hill School said: “Keeping our students safe is our top priority and with the digital world around us, cyber security is at the forefront of that. We are delighted to be linking up with Cyber4Schools for this new initiative”.