Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee confirms they have received an appropriate level of assurance about the education offer to schools in relation to online safety including social media;

(b)       That Members undertake to set an example to young people, in the way in which they engage in social media themselves;

(c)        That Members support moves to invite all Councillors to make such a commitment; and

(d)       That a copy of the report be made available to all Councillors.

The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) invited the Learning Advisor, Health, Wellbeing and Safeguarding, to present the report.  She explained that the report had been produced in response to members seeking an update on the previous report presented in November 2017, to provide assurance that children and young people in Flintshire schools were receiving the appropriate support to develop their skills in relation to the use of social media and internet safety. 

The Learning Advisor, Health, Wellbeing and Safeguarding, provided background information and referred to the key considerations, as detailed in the report, concerning social media and internet safety.  She drew attention to the School Health Research Network, UK Government proposed legislation, the Digital Competence Framework, Estyn safeguarding self-evaluation, Hwb platform, 360 Degree Safe Cymru, All Wales School Liaison Core Programme, and Safer Internet Day.

The Chair expressed concerns regarding cyber bullying and the inappropriate use of social media and commented on the need to use technology responsibly and respectfully.  He suggested that members needed to be mindful of their own use of social media and undertake to set an example to young people. 

In response to the concerns raised by the Chair all members of the Committee and Officers stood to pledge that they would not themselves engage in social media in ways which denigrate other individuals.

Councillor Kevin Hughes commented on the increasing use of social media in all aspects of daily life and the fast changing provision of internet-enabled technology.  He proposed that an item on social media and internet safety in schools be regularly included on the Forward Work Programme for the Committee and this was agreed by members.

Councillor Patrick Heesom congratulated the Learning Advisor, Health, Wellbeing and Safeguarding, on a comprehensive report and said it would be helpful if a copy was circulated to all Members for information following the meeting.

During discussion the Learning Advisor, Health, Wellbeing and Safeguarding responded to the questions and comments raised by members around parental awareness and reported on the initiatives in schools to engage with parents and share good practice to keep young people safe on-line and during use of social media.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee confirms they have received an appropriate level of assurance about the education offer to schools in relation to online safety including social media;

(b)       That Members undertake to set an example to young people, in the way in which they engage in social media themselves;

(c)        That Members support moves to invite all Councillors to make such a commitment; and

(d)       That a copy of the report be made available to all Councillors.