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BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, is inviting schools and colleges across the UK to enter the BCS e-safety award, part of Animation16. The annual animation competition is run by Manchester University.

Jos Creese, President for BCS says: “We are delighted to be working with the Animation16 competition to raise awareness among children about the importance of online safety. Having the skills to use PCs, tablets and smartphones is one thing, but we also need to help children understand how to access these devices safely. Ensuring children are protected from cyber-crime, bullying and the threat from viruses means they can safely enjoy the benefits of the internet.”

The BCS e-safety award will see entrants create a one minute animation film where children explain the top tips of how to keep safe online including such advice as:

• Check and use privacy settings on your social media sites
• Keep your personal details safe, don’t share them online
• Only accept ‘friend’ invites from people you know in the real world
• Think before you post; be careful about what you post online, it’s very easy to post something you will regret later and it can be difficult to remove it 
• Talk to your parents or teachers if you see something that upsets you; they can help you block it or remove it
• Don’t reply to any bullying messages, keep the messages and show your parents or teachers
• Remember that not everyone online is who they say they are
• Be careful and treat others as you would like to be treated
• If you wouldn’t say it or do it in the real world, then don’t do it online
• Don’t reply to spam texts, emails or messages
• Be careful if you’re downloading music, films or images to avoid breaking copyright or downloading viruses

Jos adds: “The BCS e-safety award will give children a chance to use their creative digital skills to teach other children, their friends and families how to stay safe online.”     

Now in its ninth year, Animation16 is the UK Schools Computer Animation Competition. It aims to enthuse schoolchildren about computer science, and to use computers creatively. Over 400 schools across the UK signed up for Animation15 last year. The competition is free to enter and is open to students aged 7-19 at UK schools and colleges. The competition winners will be announced at the Animation16 Awards Festival, held at The National Media Museum, in Bradford, on 12 July 2016.

Toby Howard, Chair, Animation16, Director of Undergraduate Studies, School of Computer Science at The University of Manchester says: “We are excited to be working with BCS on the e-safety award and look forward to receiving all the Animation16 competition entries.”   

More information about Animation16, including details on how to enter can be found at: http://animation16.cs.manchester.ac.uk/

The entry submitted by the Animation15 BCS e-safety award winner can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrGwjNAe5zc

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