Since he first appeared in the pages of Beano in 1951, he has wreaked havoc and mayhem.
However, Dennis the Menace is now warning kids about the perils of the internet.
The schoolboy in a special edition of the comic gets a phone but is not aware of the risks associated with using it online.
Among his mistakes are the inappropriate apps he downloads, the prank calls he makes, and the video of his cousin Minnie the Minx that he uploads without her permission.
The cooperation between Beano and mobile phone provider EE is intended to illustrate Dennis’ ignorance of the potential risks he may encounter while playing on the new phone.
It was started after a survey of 1,000 parents of kids between the ages of eight and fifteen revealed that 60% of them were concerned that their kids did not know how to stay safe online.
These anxieties included giving out personal information that may be used for fraud, disclosing their location or address to strangers, and being the target of cyberbullying.
52 percent of parents who responded to One Poll’s study indicated they lacked confidence in their ability to help modern children survive the internet environment.
Dennis has developed into a “wonderful role model,” according to Beano editor Michael Stirling, and the magazine’s plots have evolved to reflect young readers’ interests.
He previously told The Guardian, “I’m sure he’ll evolve again throughout the years. If youngsters are riding hoverboards around in ten years, Dennis will absolutely get one.”
He is an excellent example. Even if he’s wicked, his mischief these days is far more motivated by good deeds and just ensuring that children are really listened to.
Marcus Rashford, a football player for Manchester United, served as guest editor of a special Beano issue last month that encouraged kids to “embrace” their differences.
The England football player said in his editor’s letter that asking for assistance was “no weakness” but rather a “superpower.”
“How the comic brings together all kinds of diverse youngsters is my favourite thing about Beano,” he wrote.
We welcome our differences here and draw strength from them rather than letting them divide us. All the traits that make each of us distinct should be celebrated.
The Marchus Rashford Book Club, which supports young people’s access to books in collaboration with Macmillan Children’s Books, will get 20p for each copy of the special edition magazine.