What talking to 7-year-olds taught me about growing up online, writes Natasha Devon |
By Natasha Devon MBE
Last week, the government in Jersey commissioned my services as part of an ambitious plan they have to teach digital literacy and online safety to every child on the island.
I delivered 22 workshops to 7,000 young people aged 7-18, across 4 days.
Doing talks in secondary schools about social media has been part of my job for several years now. I’ve done it on TV (see series 2 of At Home with Katherine Ryan) and even written a book about it for teenagers. But I’d never delivered to primary-aged children before and the experience was illuminating.
I should state here that I’m not trying to hinder debates around a ban for under-16s or the work of campaign groups like Smartphone Free Childhood. I strongly believe more should be done to prevent children from accessing social media and inappropriate content, at least before the age of 13.
My only concern is helping young people who,........