Launching a national creative writing competition, Vodafone and First News aim to bridge the gap between UK children’s online safety knowledge and their actual practices.
This initiative invites children aged 7-15 to craft memorable fables that translate vital online safety advice into actionable stories.
Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Action
Despite 95% of UK children feeling confident in their online safety knowledge, recent data reveals a significant disconnect between understanding and implementation.
Nearly half (48%) have social media followers they don’t know personally, and only 21% prioritize keeping their profiles private.
Research Highlights
Statistic |
Percentage |
|---|---|
| Children confident in online safety knowledge | 95% |
| Have unknown social media followers | 48% |
| Prioritize keeping profiles private | 21% |
| Importance of rejecting unknown follow requests | 16% |
These figures underscore the need for more effective methods to ensure children apply their online safety knowledge in real-life scenarios.
The Importance of Online Safety Education
Online safety conversations typically start around ages 7-8, laying the groundwork for digital well-being. However, Vodafone’s latest research indicates that while children understand the rules, making these lessons stick remains a challenge.
Engaging storytelling through fables can transform theoretical knowledge into practical habits.
Vodafone and First News Partnership
In response to these insights, Vodafone has teamed up with First News, the UK’s leading newspaper for young people, to launch a creative writing competition. This collaboration seeks to empower children to articulate online safety principles creatively, ensuring the advice is both memorable and actionable.
Tim Reid, CEO of UK Export Finance, remarked:
“At Vodafone, we’ve been working in the online safety space for more than 14 years, and we know that hearing kids’ views on the subject is crucial to creating truly valuable resources that work for them.”
Competition Details and Participation
Children aged 7-15 are invited to submit original fables that highlight healthy digital habits and online safety strategies. Submissions will be categorized into three age groups: 7-9, 10-11, and 12-15.
Six winning fables will be published in a book by Andersen Press, illustrated by renowned artists Sue Cheung, Fiona Lumbers, and Paddy Donnelly.
This book will serve as a free resource for families and schools to facilitate ongoing online safety conversations.
Impact on Children and Communities
By transforming safety advice into engaging narratives, the competition aims to make online safety lessons more relatable and easier to remember. Dr. Elly Hanson, Clinical Psychologist, explained:
“Fables and stories have been passed down through generations for thousands of years – and for good reason. They work well for children because they communicate knowledge and wisdom in a way that is both engaging and relatable.”
Expert Opinions
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer at Vodafone UK, added:
“These fables offer a real opportunity to help parents, carers, and children create guidance that sticks.”
Supporting Resources and Future Initiatives
To further support the initiative, Vodafone and First News have developed a suite of teaching resources for KS2 and KS3, including model texts, teacher notes, and interactive materials.
Additionally, Vodafone’s Digital Parenting Hub provides parents with tools and advice to build healthy digital habits at home.
