TV Personalities Support Childnet's Internet Education Programme September 2002

Childnet's KIDSMART programme has received a tremendous boost with TV personalities Ant and Dec endorsing Childnet's SMART rules which are used as the basis for Childnet's Internet education programme. Speaking about the need for young people to understand the online safety issues the dynamic duo say, "The Internet is great fun and a brilliant way to keep in contact with friends. However, it is really important that we all use the Net safely and always remember these SMART rules to stay safe online." This endorsement appears in a special revised KIDSMART leaflet for young people which schools can order from Childnet.

Ant and Dec are joined by Carol Vorderman who has included a message of support on the Parent's Kidsmart leaflet which complements the young person's leaflet. "Childnet's Kidsmart programme helps both parents, teachers and children to understand the dangers whilst at the same time encourages positive Internet use!" She says.

Helping to explain the Internet risks to young people and parents in a balanced and positive way is central to the philosophy behind Kidsmart. The new site includes a directory of positive website activities, fun cartoons and interactive modules as well as resources for schools to use with parents. Stephen Carrick-Davies from Childnet says, " Whilst access to the internet in schools is generally supervised, safe and filtered, many teachers are aware that pupils need help in using the Internet out of school and understanding the safety issues of online "stranger-danger" and inappropriate website content. Parents too are looking to schools to help them know what to say to their children and how to best use the Internet at home. This is where Childnet's Kidsmart resources can help, schools can use the classroom activities, the leaflets and posters and even order a special parent's seminar presentation if they want to run a parent's evening on the subject."

Earlier this summer Childnet worked with the Area Child Protection Committees in N.Ireland who distributed over half a million copies of these Kidsmart leaflets to every school in N.Ireland (see news item). Tony Rodgers Assistant Director of Social Services writes. "The leaflets which Childnet produced were highly effective at helping us to convey to the public relevant information about a sensitive subject in a way which was balanced and attractive to different audiences. Working with the Education and Library Boards we distributed half a million leaflets to every school to pass on to their pupils and parents. These were universally welcomed and indeed we have had demands for further copies from Early Years providers and Community Groups. This cross-fertilisation is vital if we are to reach all parents with the same message of taking an interest in their children's online activity. I would strongly recommend these leaflets and the short and simple SMART messages which both parents, teachers and children can absorb and understand."

Those schools interested in using the Kidsmart resources in their schools can find more information at www.kidsmart.org.uk or contact Stephen at stephen@childnet-int.org.