Digital Safety in an Interconnected World

Stephen Carrick-Davies is an independent freelance professional working in the fast-changing field of new communications technology, predominantly where it impacts on the lives of children, parenting, schools and the wider society.

Most recently Stephen was CEO of Childnet International where for ten years he led on developing award-winning internet education and awareness programmes for young people, families and schools such as the Kidsmart schools’ outreach programme and Childnet’s “Dot Hope” Academy programme which supported and rewarded young people around the world who were using the Internet for good. Stephen has worked closely with the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) and BECTA on producing advice for Parents on safe use of the internet. This work involved the production and distribution of over 1.5 million copies of the interactive ‘Know IT ALL for Parents’ CD rom (translated into 8 languages) and distributed to schools free of charge. Stephen also worked with the DCSF on guidance for schools on how to prevent and respond to Cyberbullying. This work involved extensive consultation, the running of two national conferences with Government Ministers, and the production of a ground-breaking Cyberbullying education resources which has been circulated to schools across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Germany.

Stephen has advised key leaders on issues of children’s safe use of the Internet. Including appearing before and giving evidence to the UK Government DCMS Select Committee, making presentations to MPs, industry leaders, opinion formers, funders and the media. Stephen was a member of the Home Secretary’s Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet (2003-2008) and advisor to the Family Online Safety Institute in Washington DC. Stephen has also developed partnerships with a range of organisations and companies including; O2, Microsoft, Cable & Wireless, Trend Micro, and Vodafone.

An engaging speaker, Stephen has been invited to speak on issues related to children's use of the Internet throughout the UK and wider a field. Most recently he has travelled to Malaysia, Egypt, Poland and Brazil to champion children’s rights online, and help stakeholders to think about how they engage with the Internet and Internet technologies. A pragmatist, he promotes a balanced approach to online risks, highlighting the importance of education and a recognition of the positive opportunities that engagement in the online world can bring young people. A point summed up by his recent question posed to Egyptian young people, “What Ghandi would have done if he had had a Myspace account?"

Stephen has an honours degree from the University of London in Education and Communications, has 3 children and lives in South London.