New Pilot Internet Safety Programme is Launched Welcomed by Minister and Coronation Street stars 10 July 2001
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Netbenefit?, a new pilot programme to teach school children and their parents about using the Internet safely, was launched today at Hathershaw Technology College in Oldham by Childnet International, the online children's charity. The pilot includes a drama about Internet Chat, and classroom sessions on smart and safe behaviour online. Pupils are inviting their parents to a special evening seminar on Internet safety.

Beverley Hughes MP, the Home Office Minister who chairs the Internet Task Force on Child Protection, visited the launch of the pilot today and said "The Internet has opened up a new world for children - cyberspace can be educative, informative, and most of all, fun. But, as Childnet and the Coronation Street storyline highlight, we must all be alive to the potential for criminals to abuse the trust that children place in this new world. "I have been very impressed with the Netbenefit? programme with its emphasis on educating parents and children alike on the massive benefits that the Internet brings, as well as the simple steps they can take to make sure that they can surf in safety."

The pilot coincides with the developing storyline in Coronation Street in which Sarah Lou Platt, played by Tina O'Brien, has been contacted by "Gary" in a Chat room and wants to meet him. Tina also came to the college today, along with Bruno Langley who plays Todd Grimshaw, and told the pupils "Sarah's heart is ruling her head - she really has no idea who the guy is who has contacted her. You have got to be very careful online."

Childnet developed the Netbenefit? programme from a series of training seminars it has run in different countries. It also builds on Childnet's experience of running the chatdanger.com web site which was set up in October 2000 to explain to parents and teenage Chatusers the issues in using Chaton the Internet. Chatdanger.com was put together with the support of the family of the victim in the Patrick Green case - the first conviction in the UK of an adult having sex with a child arising from Chat room contact.

Nigel Williams, Director of Childnet International, who is a member of the Home Office Task Force said, "We are committed to helping parents and younger Internet users understand how they can use the Internet safely. There is no doubt that there is a net benefit in using the Internet but we all need to be careful"

For the pilot Childnet is working in partnership with two local education authorities - Oldham and Newport in South Wales. Chris Berry, Director of Education and Leisure Services for Oldham commented, "Internet use in our schools is expanding rapidly. Here in Oldham pupil safety is our paramount concern so we are pleased to have this opportunity through the Netbenefit? programme to look as how we can most effectively get important Internet safety messages across to pupils and parents."

The week of activities in Oldham and in Newport includes individual days in each of three schools targeting the 9-13 age group. Pupils will enjoy a specially commissioned drama presentation and other activities in citizenship and ICT lessons. There is a workshop with teachers and an evening seminar for parents. The weeks also include special sessions for all ICT teachers and for governors, librarians and other interested parties.

Childnet will be submitting the result of the pilot to the Home Office Task Force and would like to expand the programme nationally from the autumn, if funding becomes available. The pilots have been financed with Childnet's own resources and support from the local education authorities and computer companies Capita, Holdens, and Microsoft. Nigel Williams said "We believe partnership with national and local government, the Internet industry and the media is vital to get across the message of Netbenefit? - be smart, safe and positive online."

Contacts:

Childnet International - 020 7639 6967
Nigel Williams :
Nigel@childnet-int.org;
mobile 07711 702906

Vaughn Armstrong:
Vaughn@childnet-int.org;
mobile 07785 974146


Home Office -
Tim Watkinson 020 7273 4513

Newsdesk 020 7273 4545

Coronation Street -
Alison Sinclair, office 0161 827 2541;
mobile 07768 261530


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Notes

1. Childnet International is a non-profit organisation established in 1995 with the mission to help make the Internet a great place for children. Childnet operates internationally from its base in London. More information can be found on the following web sites

Childnet

Netbenefit

Chatdanger

2. Details about the current Coronation Street story involving Sarah can be found under 'Street Stories'. Links to Childnet can be found under 'Helplines'.

3. The Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet was formed in April 2001. It is a unique partnership of Government, industry, police and charitable organisations, working together to tackle the danger posed to children by online paedophiles.

The Task Force is working to make the UK the best and safest place in the world for children to use the Internet; and will make recommendations on a wide range of issues including:

* scrutiny of the criminal law as it applies to the Internet and how it could be strengthened if necessary, particularly to tackle the issue of 'online grooming';

* child protection measures to help young Internet users to surf the Net in safety, such as kite-mark schemes and moderated Chat; and a public awareness campaign, educating parents and children alike on how to 'surf in safety';

* law enforcement issues to ensure that the police have the knowledge and ever-increasing expertise to tackle cybercriminals, and to enhance co-operation between industry and police, including the new National High Tech Crime Unit in criminal investigations.