University hosts experts for Safer Internet Day

To mark Safer Internet Day 2024 (Tuesday 6 February), the University of Suffolk welcomed school leaders and those who work closely with children and young people to hear from leading experts in the field of online safeguarding during a conference and workshops held at its Ipswich campus.

The free event brought together leading national experts to provide the latest insights and share what works in helping to keep young people safe.  

Speakers included the Revenge Porn Helpline, Internet Watch Foundation, Survivors in Transition, the Marie Collins Foundation, Ofcom and Meta (Facebook).

During the conference, attendees were able to attend workshops hosted by the authors of Digital Resilience Toolkit, Andy Phippen from Bournemouth University and Louisa Street from Keele University, as well as sexting expert Dr Emily Setty, from the University of Surrey, and the author of Sex Ed for Grown ups, Jonny Hunt from the University of Bedfordshire. 

The University of Suffolk is a leader in research and sharing best practice in online safeguarding and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Emma Bond hosted the event and was among the speakers.

Professor Bond said: “Our Safer Internet Day conference was a huge success, bringing together national experts to share their knowledge of challenging and complex issues with school leaders and others working with children and young people in our region. It is crucial that we continue to prioritise this topic, share information, and raise awareness to keep children and young people safe on social media and across the internet.”

Safer Internet Day takes place in February every year to raise awareness of a safer and better internet for all, and especially for children and young people. For more information, visit the Safer Internet day website here.