Internet lessons must be part of compulsory PSHE, peers say

A report by the House of Lords select committee on communications concludes that the skills and knowledge to critically understand the internet are vital for children to navigate the online world, as well as being an essential requirement of the future workforce.

It adds that children need support in developing their critical thinking and understanding the accuracy of online information and it should form part of the curriculum.

"Therefore, online responsibilities, social norms and risks should be part of mandatory, Ofsted-inspected personal, social, health and economic education - in all schools whatever their status," the report states.

Earlier this month Education Secretary Justine Greening said that, in addition to putting sex and relationships education on a statutory footing, the government also intends to make personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education compulsory in the future.

"The PSHE curriculum must be designed to look broadly at the issues young people are concerned about online, including compulsive use, data gathering, body image - rather than the current e-safety agenda of risk," the committee's report adds.

The committee also noted "a worrying rise" in unhappy and anxious children emerging alongside the upward trend of childhood internet use. It has called for more robust research in respect of any possible links.