If you were unable to join us for the CAS Primary: E-Safety Session 2 thematic community meeting, don’t worry! You can catch up on all the key discussions and resources shared during the session below.

Embedding Online Safety in Primary Computing: Insights from CAS Primary’s E-Safety Session 2

Key Takeaways

• Media literacy is becoming increasingly central to online safety education, equipping children with critical thinking skills.

• Free resources from Parent Zone and Common Sense can help teachers integrate online safety into their curriculum.

• The ‘Internet Legends’ programme offers a structured approach to teaching online safety through five core pillars.

• Engaging parents in digital safety discussions remains a challenge, but student-led initiatives may be an effective solution.

• Digital citizenship should be embedded throughout the year, not just on Safer Internet Day.

Summary of the Session

The latest CAS Primary community meeting on e-safety brought together educators and experts to explore practical ways to teach online safety in primary schools. Hosted by Ben Davies, the session featured presentations from Indiana Coen of Parent Zone and Jenna Khanna from Common Sense, both of whom shared a wealth of resources available to teachers.

Parent Zone: Empowering Young Digital Citizens

Indiana Coen introduced Parent Zone’s suite of free programmes designed to help young people, families, and educators navigate the online world safely. A key focus was on media literacy—the ability to critically assess digital information—a skill that is expected to feature prominently in the upcoming National Curriculum Review.

One of Parent Zone’s flagship initiatives is the ‘Internet Legends’ programme, developed in partnership with Google. Aimed at Key Stage 2 students (ages 7-11), the programme teaches online safety through five key principles:

• Sharp – Think before you share.

• Alert – Check if information is real.

• Secure – Protect personal information.

• Kind – Foster positive online interactions.

• Brave – Speak up and seek help when needed.

Indiana highlighted various resources, including lesson plans, the interactive ‘Interland’ game, and live assemblies that schools can access to engage students in an interactive and age-appropriate way.

Common Sense: Building a Digital Citizenship Curriculum

Jenna Khanna presented Common Sense Media’s Digital Citizenship Curriculum, which provides free, UK-adapted lesson plans for children aged 4 to 18. These resources cover six key themes:

1. Media Balance and Well-being

2. Digital Footprint and Identity

3. Cyberbullying and Digital Drama

4. Privacy and Security

5. Relationships and Communication

6. News and Media Literacy

Jenna emphasised the importance of teaching students habits of mind rather than just rules. Given the rapid pace of technological change—especially with AI—the key to responsible digital engagement is equipping students with critical thinking skills that can adapt to new challenges.

To demonstrate how digital citizenship can be introduced to younger learners, Jenna showcased the ‘Pause & Think Online’ song and characters, an engaging way to introduce key concepts to early years and Key Stage 1 pupils.

Engaging Parents in Online Safety

A recurring challenge in online safety education is engaging parents—particularly those who are less actively involved in school events. The discussion highlighted creative strategies to encourage parent participation, including:

• Student-led workshops – Encouraging pupils to present online safety lessons to their parents, making the topic more engaging and relatable.

• Take-home resources – Printable guides and conversation starters to foster discussions at home.

• Interactive games – Tools like Interland can encourage children to share their learning with parents in a fun and informal way.

Next Steps: Reflect on Your Practice

As educators, it’s worth considering:

• How often do you integrate digital literacy skills into your computing lessons?

• Do your online safety lessons focus on rules or on developing critical thinking?

• Could you introduce more interactive elements, such as games or student-led discussions?

• What strategies could help engage parents in digital safety conversations?

To put these ideas into action, try incorporating:

• The ‘Internet Legends’ pillars into PSHE or computing lessons.

• Common Sense Media’s digital citizenship resources to structure online safety education.

• A student-led online safety session for parents at your school.

Further Resources

Parent Zone – Guides, lesson plans, and family resources.

Internet Legends – Free interactive games and lesson plans.

Common Sense Media – Digital citizenship curriculum and media reviews.

Safer Internet Day – Resources for planning online safety activities.

Event Recording

The session reinforced that online safety is not just about preventing risks—it’s about empowering young people to navigate the digital world with confidence. With so many free, high-quality resources available, integrating online safety into primary education has never been easier.