Introducing Digital Matters - A new online learning platform

ESET sponsor Digital Matters, a new online learning platform created by Internet Matters, designed to support KS2 teachers in the classroom, parents at home, and students in their digital journey. 

ESET UK, a global leader in digital security with more than thirty years of innovation, announces the launch of a new, free online learning platform as part of it's CSR initiatives, Safer Kids Online and Secure Our Schools. Digital Matters was developed as part of ESET UK’s progressive CSR mission in partnership with Internet Matters - a non-profit organisation providing expertise to support schools as they teach the online safety curriculum and media literacy.

The comprehensive platform provides interactive lessons and dynamic storytelling, empowering both teachers and parents to engage young people (aged 9-11) in online safety, covering topics like cyberbullying to fake news. Digital Matters was specifically created to meet the new and changing online safety requirements within the UK curriculum while encouraging discussion around safer use of the internet. The platform is divided into two sections:

1. Interactive Learning - students start here, led by their teacher, and learn about the e-safety concept through interactive activities and prompted discussion
2. Once Upon Online - here, children guide their character through choices using what they have learned in the previous section. The story allows them to make realistic choices in a safe environment to help them better understand the consequences of their choices 

Teachers can download free lesson plans about online safety and supporting materials to guide students through both the Interactive Learning and Once Upon Online sections. There is also a take-home component to encourage parents to engage with their child’s internet safety education as well.

Parents can access the app through the Parent Companion Guide which provides information about the app and the topic to ensure they can support their child online. They can then follow the Take Home activity set by their child’s teacher, or lead their child through both sections themselves.

Malcolm Tuck, ESET UK and N. Ireland’s Managing Director: “The driving force behind the highly anticipated Digital Matters platform is to ultimately encourage young people’s engagement in their online safety education, making it a welcome solution as we ebb towards an increasingly digital future.”

At ESET, we appreciate how important it is to manage budgets and conserve funds in any school today so that any expenditure is focused on delivering a great education for our young people. Making sure the environment in which they learn is cyber-safe is increasingly challenging and expensive. That is why we have put together our Secure Our Schools programme, offering a trio of benefits with our award-winning security software:

• 50% off for schools - A 50% discount on all licences for the school! That includes our record-breaking endpoint security, our powerful yet simple encryption solution and much more
• 50% off for students, parents, and friends of the school - Families of students at your school can save 50% off the normal retail price of a selection of ESET Home software such as ESET Internet Security; ESET Multi-device licences (which includes Windows, Android and MacOS devices in any combination); and ESET Cyber Security for MacOS machines
• £5 rebate - Every time someone buys a licence using our unique promo code it will trigger a £5 donation to the school, PTA or other charity of your choosing. We are happy to work with you and the PTAs to deliver a range of FREE marketing materials to help you promote this to your school community to make the most of this great offer

About ESET

For more than 30 years, ESET® has been developing industry-leading IT security software and services to protect businesses, critical infrastructure and consumers worldwide from increasingly sophisticated digital threats. From endpoint and mobile security to endpoint detection and response, encryption and multifactor authentication, ESET’s high-performing, easy-to-use solutions unobtrusively protect and monitor 24/7, updating defences in real-time to keep users updated, safe and businesses running without interruption. Evolving threats require an evolving IT security company that enables the safe use of technology. This is backed by ESET’s R&D centres worldwide, working in support of our shared future. Visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter for more information.

About Internet Matters

Internet Matters (internetmatters.org) is a not-for-profit, industry-funded members body that helps families stay safe online, providing resources for parents, carers and educational professionals. It was established in 2014 by BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin Media and its members include BBC, Google, Samsung Electronics UK, Facebook, Huawei, ByteDance, Supercell and ESET. It is a member of the Executive Board of UKCIS (UK Council for Internet Safety), where it leads the working group for vulnerable users and was a member of The Royal Foundation Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying, founded by the Duke of Cambridge. It works with partners from across the industry, government and third sector to raise awareness and provide advice on the issues affecting children in the digital age, including cyberbullying, screen time, digital resilience, extreme content, privacy and exploitation.