Digital Ace adds fun element to the online safety message
THE fourth Digital Ace event took place at Beau Sejour on Saturday.
Organised by the Digital Greenhouse and volunteers from the Online Safety Committee, it was timed to coincide with the global Safer Internet Day.
It was aimed at providing guidance for online safety while showcasing the many ways in which digital touches our lives in a very positive way.
‘While these types of event have an online safety element, they are also about raising awareness of the opportunities for employment and careers from digital and its importance to the economy,’ said Economic Development head of digital and event co-ordinator, Lucy Kirby.
‘For Guernsey in particular, it is a chance for us to show young people the opportunities that are available here and how our economy is diversifying.’
Guernsey Online Safety Committee chairman Tracey Moore said the online safety message was at the heart of the event.
‘When we re-branded as Digital Ace we wanted to get the balance of showing the potential of the internet while making sure that people were safe,’ she said.
‘The word Ace means aspire, create and empower. The word empower is about preparing people to be safe in this online world.’
The day featured a rolling programme of talks and activities for young people and adults. More than 20 different companies and agencies were represented at the event in the Beau Sejour concourse.
Claire Stanbury, who was with children Olivia, eight, and George, six, said they had come across the event by chancing while visiting the centre.
'Both of my children enjoy playing on their tablets, games on the phone, and the X-Box,' she said.
‘We don’t allow them to do online gaming because they are too young.
'I think I know enough about these things but then technology moves very quickly and it’s important to keep up with changes.’
Tax officer Frank Penney, 53, went with daughter, Jessica, 9, who goes to La Houguette Primary School.
‘Jessica has a smartphone and we just wanted to learn more about online safety,’ he said.
‘I think you must engage with technology but then you have to be aware of the dangers too.’
The day did include fun elements. The Youth Commission were allowing people to use virtual reality headsets loaned by the Youth Justice Service. It enabled younger children to go on a rollercoaster ride. Those 14 and over went on a car journey that ended with a crash and gave them the chance to see the emergency services at work.
‘The aim is to show that technology can be used to educate people and we can do it by putting them in real life scenarios,’ said Youth Commission service lead Aaron Davies.
