St. Edmund’s Welcomes New Measures to Protect Young People Online
St. Edmund’s School has welcomed the UK Government’s announcement of new legislation introducing restrictions on social media access for under-16s, describing it as an important step towards creating a safer digital environment for young people.
The new measures, announced on Monday 15th June, by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, will require major social media platforms to prevent under-16s from accessing their services, alongside wider protections designed to reduce exposure to harmful content and online risks. The policy forms part of the Government’s broader commitment to improving children's wellbeing and online safety.
At St. Edmund’s, digital wellbeing has long been a central part of the school’s pastoral and educational approach. While technology offers extraordinary opportunities for learning, creativity and connection, the school recognises the growing concerns surrounding excessive social media use, online bullying, harmful algorithms and the impact of digital platforms on young people's mental health. The new legislation seeks to address many of these challenges by placing greater responsibility on technology companies to protect children online.
The school believes the changes will provide additional support for families as they navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. However, education will continue to play a vital role alongside regulation.
Dr Carlin, Head of Digital Learning at St Edmund’s, said:
"We strongly welcome measures that place the safety and wellbeing of young people at the heart of the digital world. While technology remains an incredibly powerful tool for education and personal development, it is essential that children are protected from the risks that can accompany unrestricted access to social media. At St. Edmund’s, we are fully committed to helping our pupils develop healthy, balanced and responsible digital habits. This legislation is an important step forward, but digital literacy, critical thinking and ongoing education will remain just as important as regulation in preparing young people for life online."
St. Edmund’s has invested significantly in digital education programmes that equip pupils with the skills to use technology safely, responsibly and confidently. Through dedicated digital citizenship initiatives, online safety workshops, pastoral support and curriculum-based learning, pupils are encouraged to understand both the opportunities and challenges presented by the online world.
This commitment is reflected in St. Edmund’s extensive Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) programme, which places digital wellbeing, online safety and responsible technology use at the heart of pupils’ education. Throughout their time at the school, pupils are encouraged to develop the knowledge, resilience and critical thinking skills needed to navigate an increasingly connected world safely and confidently.
As part of this provision, St. Edmund’s regularly welcomes expert guest speakers who provide pupils with real-world insights into contemporary digital challenges. Recent sessions have focused on cyber security, online identity, digital footprints, artificial intelligence and the importance of protecting personal information online. These opportunities help pupils understand both the opportunities and risks presented by modern technology and reinforce the importance of making informed decisions in the digital space.
The school's commitment to digital education is further strengthened through its dedicated Digital Learning Week for all Form 8 pupils. Taking place following the completion of the PSB programme and before pupils embark on their senior school journey, the programme is designed to prepare pupils for the next stage of their education, where they will have increased access to digital devices and technology-enhanced learning.
During Digital Learning Week, pupils participate in a range of workshops and practical sessions covering cyber security, digital citizenship, online research, responsible use of artificial intelligence, digital organisation, wellbeing in a connected world and the effective use of educational technology. The programme ensures that pupils enter senior school equipped not only with the technical skills required to use digital devices effectively, but also with the awareness, judgement and responsibility needed to thrive in the modern digital environment.
Recognising that online safety is a partnership between school and home, St. Edmund’s also provides parents with access to the Smoothwall Online Safety Hub, a dedicated platform offering expert guidance, practical advice and up-to-date information on digital trends, social media, gaming, cyber security and online wellbeing. This valuable resource helps families stay informed and supports meaningful conversations about safe and responsible technology use beyond the classroom.
By combining a comprehensive PSHE curriculum, expert guest speakers, targeted digital learning initiatives and practical support for parents, St. Edmund’s is ensuring that pupils are fully prepared for the opportunities and challenges of the digital world, both now and in the future.
At St. Edmund’s, our commitment is clear: to prepare young people not only for academic success, but also for safe, responsible and positive participation in an increasingly digital society.
Parents can access the St. Edmund's Smoothwall Online Safety Hub here: https://saintedmunds.onlinesafetyhub.uk/