Around 70 primary school students from Doncaster have taken to the stage in a compelling play designed to raise awareness about online safety. This performance marks the culmination of the NSPCC’s Doncaster Online Safety campaign, which aims to equip families with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the digital world.
The campaign, which began in April 2024, is a collaborative effort involving the NSPCC, Well Doncaster, Citizens Advice, and Doncaster Public Health. Over the past 18 months, it has successfully engaged nearly 6,000 children, parents, and professionals through interactive workshops and free online resources. The initiative seeks to empower parents and caregivers, enhancing their confidence in discussing online safety with their children.
A highlight of the campaign was the tour of “The Net: Sam’s Story,” a specially commissioned stage show aimed at teaching online safety in primary schools. Building on this momentum, young performers from various schools across Doncaster presented “Sofa Surfing: An Online Story” at the Cast Theatre. The play, produced by NK Theatre Arts, an inclusive theatre company, features a unique song and narrative that addresses the potential dangers children encounter online.
The message is clear: families should adopt a mindset of curiosity rather than frustration when children express concerns about online experiences. This approach aims to foster open communication between parents and their children regarding online safety issues.
In addition to the play, the Stainforth Online Safety initiative, part of the Doncaster Safety Net, has developed a safety leaflet and video featuring local schoolchildren, further extending the campaign’s reach.
Gail Sayles, the NSPCC’s local campaigns manager for the region, emphasized the significance of this initiative, stating, “One of the aims of this campaign was to help parents and carers feel confident when talking with children about online safety. It’s been fabulous to see young people at the forefront of this work, sharing important messages in such a creative way.”
The success of the local campaign has paved the way for a national rollout, with new resources planned to assist even more families in initiating essential conversations about online safety at home. The play’s script, along with teaching resources and the original song featured, will soon be available on the NSPCC learning website.
For more information about the Doncaster Safety Net campaign, interested parties can visit the NSPCC website or contact the campaign team via email at [email protected].
The Doncaster initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure that families are well-equipped to handle the challenges of the digital age, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication about online risks.
