Digital Leaders

At Varna, we have a weekly Digital Leaders Club with a chosen class representative from Year 3-6. In our club, we pledge to work together to keep our school community safe online. 

What is a Digital Leader
A Digital Leader is:
✅ A positive example of how to behave online
🗣️ A voice for pupils on digital matters
💬 Someone others can talk to if they have a worry about being online
🎨 A creative leader who helps with posters, assemblies, campaigns, and events
👣 A person who leaves a positive digital footprint — and encourages others to do the same

"I wanted to be a Digital Leader because I wanted to raise awareness for how my class mates could stay safe online in Year 6." - Ela, Year 6

"I like being a Digital Leader because we get to doa lunch time club and talk about ways to stay safe online." - Elianna, Year 3

"I like being a Digital Leader so I can make sure my friends are being safe online and knowing not to talk to strangers.' 

What is the Digital Leaders Club?

The Digital Cadets programme is designed to develop a network of young online safety role models across schools. These pupils will take on a leadership role, promoting positive digital behaviour and helping others make safe, respectful, and informed choices online. Each term, schools will take part in a themed “mission,” with a clear focus on a key area of digital awareness — from screen time and online gaming to cyberbullying, fake news, digital footprints and more. Pupils will explore real-world scenarios, create resources, and lead assemblies or class presentations to share their learning and promote safe habits across their schools.
This is not just a programme — it’s a movement.

Why it Matters

Children today are growing up in a connected world. Whether they are chatting on messaging apps, playing online games, watching videos, or creating content, the internet
has become a central part of their daily experience. But with that opportunity comes real responsibility — and very real risks. According to Ofcom’s Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes Report 2024, the digital lives of children in the UK start early and grow rapidly:
Nearly 90% of 8–11-year-olds use video-sharing platforms like YouTube and TikTok.
49% of children aged 8–17 say they’ve had a negative online experience in the past year.
One in five 8–11-year-olds have had contact online with someone they’ve never met in real life.
27% of children say they’ve seen something online that made them feel uncomfortable or upset.
These figures are not just numbers — they represent the lived realities of our pupils. While schools do an excellent job of embedding online safety into computing and PSHE lessons, more is needed to build a culture of awareness that lives beyond the classroom walls.

Why Online Awareness Matters
In today’s world, online awareness is not optional — it’s essential. Our pupils are growing up in a digital-first environment where technology is woven into every part of their lives: how they learn, play, connect with others, and express themselves. Being online is no longer a one-off activity — it’s part of everyday life. That brings
enormous opportunities, but also growing responsibilities. As educators, we must guide our pupils not just in how to use technology, but how to understand it, question it, and navigate it safely and respectfully.

The Reality for Today’s Pupils
Even our youngest pupils are online more than ever. They may be:
Watching videos on YouTube or TikTok
Playing online multiplayer games
Messaging friends through gaming chats or apps
Using AI tools, search engines, or voice assistants
Sharing videos, pictures, or personal updates
But many children don’t fully understand:
Who sees what they post
How their actions leave a lasting footprint
The risks of sharing personal information
What is and isn’t okay to say or do online
How to think critically about what they see
Without guidance, children are left to make sense of the digital world on their own — and
that can lead to poor choices, emotional harm, or unsafe situations.