YOUNGSTERS at a Barry primary school are proving to be at the forefront of all things technical by being pioneers with an online safety scheme.

Cadoxton primary’s internet savvy pupils have logged onto a scheme helping their staff say safe online.

The school is the first in the town to sign up to the award-winning eCadets scheme, where youngsters advise other pupils on how to protect themselves online.

The scheme, which has more than 480 eCadets in schools across Wales and England, was the brainchild of former policeman Henry Platten and his wife Danielle, who already run successful company eTreble9, advising about online security for companies and individuals.

Pupils trained as eCadets, advise their friends on how to protect themselves when browsing the internet, using social media on smart phones and tablets, or playing online games.

The pupils also take the message home – making parents and other family members aware of the need for online safety, whether ensuring passwords are secure or discussing the pitfalls of making friends in the virtual world.

Henry said: “As well as keeping youngsters safe, the eCadet scheme has been designed help schools meet targets in relation to online safety, health and wellbeing, literacy and numeracy and personal development.

“We know that children can find it difficult to talk openly to parents or teachers about an issue like this but they are much more comfortable turning to their friends and peers for advice.

“We are there in the background to provide support and advice, providing a safety net should something come to light that needs adult intervention.

“Our approach is very much not to frighten them, not to scare them, just to show them how to use it safely to give them that confidence, to give them those skills to be digital citizens, and really to live their lives safely online so that they get the most from it.”

E-learning coordinator at Cadoxton, Val Bevan, first came across the scheme through Twitter and realised that it would be extremely useful in her school, which has more than 300 pupils and is keen to prepare them for a future in a world where internet use is commonplace.

“We know that many children use smart phones, iPods and tablets. Many also use X-boxes, and play online. We wanted to help them reinforce and enhance their skills in staying safe and empower them to be able to teach others how to stay safe.

“Being part of eCadets will help to ensure this and future generations of our pupils will have the skills and know-how to address esafety issues, and it’s important knowledge they will take with them as they move up into secondary school and beyond.”

The initiative is part of the computing curriculum, meets the needs of inspections by schools watchdog Estyn, and is closely linked to PHSE and well-being requirements.

To ensure it reaches out into the school’s community, there are now also eParents and eGovernors alongside the eCadets, while a business mentoring project for Year 3 pupils has been added.

Children compete in an eCadets league against their counterparts across whole of the UK.