AN INTERNET search giant has been teaching young children at a South Lakeland primary school how to be 'safe and epic' online.

Staff from Google visited Heron Hill Primary School, Kendal, to instruct seven to 11-year-olds on how to be 'Internet Legends'.

Ankur Vora, a policy analyst at Google, was at the school to help deliver the internet safety talk to an assembly of around 200 children.

"I think the internet is much more ubiquitous than when I was getting started on it," he said. "These kids grow up using the internet from a much earlier age. We want to give them these really important lessons so that they can shape their digital footprint."

The Internet Legends Code focused on four key themes, including: think before you share, protect your stuff, check it's real and respect each other.

Head teacher Peter Hicks said that it was important that children kept 'up to date' with online safety.

"The internet is so different now because it's so fast and it changes so quickly," he said. "There's fantastic things on the internet we mustn't forget that but there's some dodgy things too.

"The children use it every day in school for research, for maths - it's a powerful tool and a really positive teaching aid but they've got to do it safely."

Google has been touring the country getting children involved with a presentation filled with funny cat pictures and promising a certificate to prove a child's Internet Legend status.

The tour has been developed in partnership with non-governmental organisation, Parent Zone, and under the guidance of an advisory board including the NSPCC.

Vicki Shotbolt, from ParentZone, said: "Working with Google on this project has enabled us to support many more primary schools with messages that are vital for children of this age.

"We know from our work with schools and with parents that helping children to become confident and safe online is an essential life skill and it is important to prepare them for a time when they will be independently exploring online."