Youngsters learn about the perils of phishing at Safer Internet Day

The event, organised in partnership with Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University (HEYCU), welcomed 40 Year Six pupils from Woodland, Wansbeck, Withernsea and Paisley Primary Schools to the MKM Stadium, on Tuesday, where they took part in a day packed full of fun activities aimed at raising awareness of online dangers.

Organiser Louise Babych, KCOM’s Community Impact Partner, said it was great to welcome so many young ‘online safety ambassadors’ to the home of Hull City to talk about online safety.

She said: “This is one of our most important annual events with our partners Hull and East Yorkshire Children’s University and it’s great to see so many enthusiastic children here, all learning about online safety.

“It’s great to be able to bring our content experts from KCOM here for the day to volunteer and talk to the children about what’s a hugely important issue and making sure they can spot things like online scams when they see them.”

Sarah Broadie, HEYCU partnership manager, said: “Children spend a lot of their time online and although they have become very adept at using technology they don’t always think about the safety aspect, which is why days like this are invaluable. It’s also great to be able to hold it somewhere like the MKM, which for some of the children may be the first time they’ve been to the stadium so it all adds to the experience and gives them an insight into the outside world of work.”

As well as taking part in workshops and games, the children were also treated to a meet and greet with City mascot Roary the Tiger who turned up to say hello, high five everyone and take selfies at lunchtime.

Jennifer Clark, Deputy Headteacher of Withernsea Primary School, said her pupils would be taking what they’d learned on the day and presenting it back to the whole school at a special assembly.

She said: “This is the first time we’ve been to this event but the children are really enjoying it. There are a lot of issues around social media and online games for children today, so it’s great for them to be able to come here and hear about it on a level they can understand from someone outside school – I think it carries more weight.”

Ten-year-old Lexi Lynn, from Paisley Primary, agreed, saying it was nice to escape the classroom for the day.

“It’s been really fun,” she said “I enjoyed making the safety posters most. It’s been good because some kids don’t know about what’s good and bad on the internet, or don’t know about scamming. This will help them understand.”

Ruby Kirkham, 11, of Woodland Primary, added: “I think it’s very important to learn about safety online. You don’t want to get caught out by scammers.”

For more information about Safer Internet Day click here