Last week local MP and Technology Minister, Julia Lopez, joined a Google assembly at Broadford Primary School, Harold Hill, as part of the tech giant’s Be Internet Legends programme that teaches kids how to stay safe online.

The scheme, designed by Google and Parent Zone, has been running since 2018 as a response to a growing concern from families, charities and politicians that children need to remain alert to the dangers of an increasingly online world.

The assembly came as government prepares to implement the new Online Safety Act - a landmark law brought in by the government to address online abuse, cybercrime, and the need to make it harder for children to access certain types of content.

Speaking to Broadford students at the assembly, Mrs Lopez shared information about the new Act, which was drawn up by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology, where the Hornchurch & Upminster MP serves as a Minister.

Commenting after the visit, Mrs Lopez said,

I have young kids of my own and want them to be able to use the internet in a way that’s appropriate for them and that protects them from online predators. Our new online laws are designed to toughen up protections for children when they use the internet but it’s also important that we give them the tools to navigate the net safely so that they can be alive to the changing ways in which criminals operate.

“Google’s Be Internet Legends assembly is a great way of educating children about the dangers of the online world in a way that is tailored to them. I am glad that Broadford, led by brilliant head teacher, Lois Nicholls, and other local schools are providing these kinds of lessons as I know that this is something that parents want their children to be equipped with.