The course, called PhoneSmart is a free-to-access online course aimed at 10–13-year-olds getting their first phone, and is designed to educate them on how to stay safe and be kind online. Those who manage to complete the digital online course are deemed to have developed the skills and knowledge to operate safely online and will be awarded the 'EE PhoneSmart Licence’ 

 

To mark the launch of the EE PhoneSmart Licence and encourage parents and guardians and their children to take part in the course, EE has unveiled a short film, featuring musician Clement Marfo, highlighting not only the breadth of things that can be done with a phone, from creating new dance routines to learning a new skill, but also the dangers that children may be exposed to.

 

The EE PhoneSmart License was created in response to parents' and guardians' concerns around the challenges presented by giving a child their own devise. Research from Ofcom revealed that 49 percent of 8 to 11 year olds own their own smart phone. That number increases to 91 percent to 12 to 15 year olds, with 81 percent having had at least one potentially harmful experience online in the past year.

 

The hour-long course was created in collaboration with experts from Internet Matters, and in consultation with Home-Start, ChildNet, Marie Collins Foundation and the Anti-Bullying Alliance, and is split into four modules: online hate, digital wellbeing, staying safe online and digital & media literacy.

 

Designed to actively engage 10 to 13-year-olds, each module features animated storylines, interactive quizzes and activities, all highlighting the benefits and dangers of phones, and helping them to understand how they can identify and report instances of online abuse, hate, discrimination and cyberbullying. 

 

Kelly Engstrom, brand & demand generation communications director at EE said: “The build-up to getting your first phone is both exciting and daunting for children and their parents. The EE PhoneSmart Licence was created to help navigate this milestone, equipping young people with an understanding of phone safety. Our mission as the UK’s leading network is to connect for good, and by educating the next generation on how to avoid dangers and get the best from their first phone, we can play our part in keeping children safe online. We believe that every child should be safe online which is why we’ve made the course free and available to everyone, regardless of what network they’re on.”

 

Dan Treichel, executive creative director, Saatchi & Saatchi, said: “When cars were first around, anyone could drive without any training. And sure enough, this proved dangerous and a course and driving licence were brought in to keep people safe. Like getting your first car, getting your hands on your first smartphone is a big moment, full of excitement and promise, but with risks. The iPhone was released in 2007 but until now, there wasn’t a course to teach people how to be safe and kind when using their smartphones. With PhoneSmart Licence, kids will now have the tools and know-how to navigate this new world safely and parents and carers will have the reassurance they need.”