Over 100 people came together in Peterborough on Thursday 5 March 2026 for a Safety Online and Young People Conference, organised by Peterborough Council for Voluntary Service (PCVS) and Connecting Cambridgeshire, to shine a spotlight on the experiences, challenges and solutions surrounding young people’s safety in an increasingly digital world.

After opening remarks from Kirsteen McVeigh PCVS CEO, the event, which was chaired by Eva Wood, Vice-Chair at PCVS and Youth Voice Lead for the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA), began with attendees hearing directly from young people through a short film created by media and journalism students at Peterborough College, giving an unfiltered look at how online spaces shape young people’s daily lives.

Keynote speaker Rowan Ferguson, representing the Molly Rose Foundation, delivered a powerful address on the importance of mental health, suicide prevention and the realities young people face online. Rowan’s contribution set the tone for the day, emphasising the urgent need for safer online environments and reminding attendees of the human impact at the centre of digital‑safety discussions.

Throughout the morning, attendees heard a wide range of perspectives shaped by lived experience, frontline practice and community leadership. Kerry Cliffe, Safeguarding Lead at Jack Hunt Academy, offered a school perspective, describing the increasing pressures schools face as they work to support young people growing up in complex online environments.

From a mental health standpoint, Anita Boyd and Paige Moore Watson from Centre 33 explored how digital life directly affects young people’s wellbeing and the emotional strain many young people experience online.

The cultural and community dimension was examined by Cllr Shabina Quayyam, Leader of Peterborough City Council, and Rev’d Michelle Dalliston, Vicar of Peterborough. They reflected together on how families, cultural identities and faith communities can play a positive role in supporting young people to navigate digital spaces safely.

Adding a policing perspective, Detective Inspector Dan Pawson from Cambridgeshire Constabularyoutlined emerging trends in online harm, discussing how rapidly evolving risks, such as exploitation, harmful user‑generated content and online grooming, require close collaboration between schools, services, families and law enforcement.

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes provided an overview of the Government’s Online Safety Bill to protect children and young people online and the complexities of getting it right. He emphasised the importance of strong policy foundations to underpin local action and the ongoing role of young people, families and community partners in shaping a safer digital landscape.

The timing of the conference added even greater resonance to these discussions as on the same day Ian Russell, father of Molly Rose appeared on Good Morning Britain as Channel 4 broadcast the documentary ‘Molly vs The Machines’ on Thursday evening. This documentary film explores the tragic death of 14‑year‑old Molly Russell and follows her father’s campaign for stronger online protections.

The week also marked the launch of the UK Government’s public consultation on children’s digital wellbeing and whether social media should be banned for under‑16s. Announced on 2 March, the consultation invites young people, parents and guardians to share their views on a range of potential measures, including a ban, curfews and new age‑assurance requirements.

Following networking over lunch, the afternoon opened with a vibrant Q&A panel that included Paul Bristow, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, as well as speakers from the morning, where attendees were encouraged to ask questions and discussed practical ways to take action locally.

The day concluded with closing remarks from Jonathan Jelley, Chair of PCVS, reaffirming the shared commitment to making digital spaces safer, healthier and more supportive for all young people.

Cheryl McGuire, PCVS Digital Inclusion Project Lead, who was instrumental in organising the event, said:“Today has been a powerful reminder that online safety is not just a safeguarding issue – it’s a community issue. Hearing directly from young people helps us understand what truly matters to them, and we are committed to working with partners across Peterborough to make digital spaces safer, healthier and more supportive.”

Sarah Marsh, Head of Digital Connectivity at Cambridgeshire County Council and Connecting Cambridgeshire Programme Director, added: “Digital connectivity brings huge opportunities, but it must also come with the support, education and safeguards young people need. We’re proud to work alongside PCVS and local partners to ensure that digital inclusion goes hand in hand with digital safety for every community.”

Insights from the conference will feed into ongoing and upcoming digital inclusion work, community programmes and local online safety initiatives across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Both PCVS and Connecting Cambridgeshire will continue working with partners to deliver practical resources, community training and support for young people and families.