Google: Girlguiding and tech giant launch new online safety badges

Brownies will be able to learn how to deal with online bullying through the Kingdom of Kindness activity

The organisation behind Brownies and Guides have teamed up with one of the biggest tech companies in the world - Google.

They plan to teach girls essential skills for staying safe online and are launching two brand new badges for Girl Guiders to collect.

A new range of online safety activities will teach girls about online identities, the importance of being kind online, and how to deal with online bullying.

There will be activities aimed at different age ranges, suitable for Rainbows (aged 4-7), Brownies (aged 7-11), Guides (aged 11-14) and Rangers (aged 14-18).

Guides will learn about their digital footprint, which is all the information you leave behind you when you are online, and protecting personal information.

The activities are designed to be done offline so people won't need an internet connection for them, making them accessible to all.

The announcement comes as the Online Safety Bill becomes law on Friday 27 October.

Special Google online safety badges are up for grabs

The bill will make online and social media companies legally responsible for keeping children and young people safe online.

The companies will have to remove any content that is illegal or contains harmful material - such as posts promoting abuse, eating disorders or bullying.

Politicians and children's charities behind the bill have been campaigning for five years and they say it will make children safer.

But others argue young people need to know more about staying safe online and can't rely on the law to protect them completely.