School pupils in Prestatyn become Digital Defenders to promote online safety for children

Young pupils from Bodnant Community School in Prestatyn have joined forces with North Wales Police and key partners to raise awareness of online safety in a project that places children at the heart of digital education.

Over a period of two weeks, the school’s Mini Police team, supported by North Wales Police Youth Engagement Constable Melanie Cartledge-Davis, worked with the Force’s Cyber Crime Team and Get Safe Online to explore aspects of staying safe online.

Topics included understanding digital footprints, recognising online bullying, knowing the risks of sharing personal information, the importance of strong passwords, age-appropriate apps, and how to spot and deal with online strangers and AI bots.

As part of the project, the Mini Police team created a series of short educational videos in their own words, sharing advice with other young people and their parents. Their digital safety messages, full of practical tips and relatable insights, will be released via the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s social media channels throughout the summer term, and parents and carers are encouraged to watch and discuss the content with their children.

The children also had the opportunity to share what they learned with North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, who visited the school on June 12 to hear directly from them about the importance of online safety and the role of trusted adults.

The Mini Police programme is a national scheme designed for primary school pupils and the police to build positive relationships through fun, educational activities that promote community safety.

Andy Dunbobbin, North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, said:“This Mini Police initiative directly supports key priorities in my Police and Crime Plan, particularly around youth engagement and cyber safety.

“Equipping children with the tools to stay safe online is one of the most important things we can do. By empowering young people to speak up, understand the risks, and know who they can turn to, we’re helping to prevent harm and build safer communities across North Wales. I’m proud of the young people involved in this project and of the officers who guided and supported them.”

North Wales Police Youth Engagement and Intervention Constable Melanie Cartledge-Davis said: “Over the course of this project, the children learned not only about cyber safety, but also about confidence, communication, and teamwork.

With online risks becoming more common and more complex, it’s vital that children understand how to protect themselves, and even more vital that they know where to turn if something doesn’t feel right. This project has helped them become true Digital Defenders!”

Bodnant Community School Teacher, Andrea Vaughan-Thomas said:“We’re incredibly proud of our pupils for the creativity and enthusiasm they’ve shown throughout this project. Online safety is such an important topic and giving children a voice to share advice in their own words makes the message even more powerful. Working with North Wales Police and their partners has been a brilliant experience, and we’re confident that our Mini Police team have helped make a real difference.”

For more practical advice on keeping young people safe online visit:https://www.getsafeonline.org/

To find out more about the Mini Police programme, visit:https://www.college.police.uk/article/mini-police-five-things-you-need-know