Safer Internet Day and the Use of Technology in Schools

With Safer Internet Day on 11 February 2025, technology is just one part of a complex network of factors in education. This is a further opportunity at PGP to evaluate how, as educators and parents, we can ensure the children’s safety and wellbeing when they engage with technology. I was recently invited to an online Zoom Q&A hosted by Sophie Windsor and Hugh Grant at which there were speakers from the government of Sweden and the author Jonathan Haidt on the use of technology in schools and the impact on children’s mental health and their educational progress. The discussion was expertly presented, informative and, most importantly, confirmed that the controls and approach to children’s access to technology at PGP are being considered across the world as best practice.

In Sweden and Australia, for example, access to digital devices in schools is being replaced with greater focus on children writing in books, reading from physical texts, perfecting their handwriting and displaying their maths methodology and problem-solving strategies in a written and logically informed way. At PGP teacher expertise is paramount and we use technology when there is a clear pedagogic purpose and evidence that will enhance the children’s learning experience and progress. Access to screen time remains limited and IT skills are taught in a dedicated room with a curriculum that hones key skills and places safety at its centre. We do not have mobile phones in school nor a scheme of ‘bring your own device’. We regularly provide guidance on the potential harm from accessing social media and gaming, including a strong emphasis on children not engaging with online games designed for older age ranges and adults.

That said, in London the first stage of most admissions requirements for senior schools at 11+ is an online adaptive assessment. PGP’s preparation for 11+ is robust and effective in terms of developing the knowledge and writing skills for success. We also need to ensure that all the children understand online adaptive assessments and do therefore provide familiarisation of the essential techniques for success through termly standardised adaptive testing in reading and spelling. From Year 3, cognitive abilities testing occurs at the start of the academic year and across the school we also check children’s progress in English and maths. We do advocate for pupils preparing for the 11+ using online resources such as Atom and Century but our daily focus is on English grammar, literacy, reading from books, handwriting, maths methodology, written summative tests for checking of recall, retrieval, application of knowledge, problem-solving and the tracking of progress over time in English and maths. This is in addition to the myriad of opportunities the children have to express their thoughts and ideas orally in lessons and participate in poetry and spelling challenges.

Safer Internet Day will include how to keep safe online, concepts such as phishing, scams, fake news and whether information on the internet is accurate. The school is aware that despite our emphasis on every child’s wellbeing, which includes having filtering, monitoring and limited access to screens during the school day, some of our pupils are accessing internet sites and games at home not designed for their age group. We will continue to encourage parents to attend PGP’s internet safety sessions and our general advice is for parents to be vigilant in monitoring their child’s access to the internet and to have parental controls and safety settings to protect their child from online harms. It is important to provide clear boundaries regarding access, timing and duration of the use of the internet at home and ensure that there is an opportunity for them to talk about anything they experience online that makes them feel worried or upset.

Dr Edmonds

Head