Media

Childnet seeks to be able to work constructively with journalists and the media on issues relating to children's use of the Internet. We will try to either provide a media representative or seek to link you up with the most appropriate person either in the UK or internationally who you could contact for an interview/comment. Contact Stephen Carrick-Davies at the Childnet office on 020 7639 6967 or 07712 451 859 (m).

There are a number of excellent international news resources on issues relating to children’s use of the Internet. See in particular:

	Net Family News Childnet works closely with Net Family News which produces an outstanding newsletter for parents on issues relating to Children’s use of new technology... [GO]
	Safer Internet Childnet works with the European network of organisations involved in Internet safety and this site includes an excellent monthly newsletter... [GO]
	Quicklinks This site gives information on legal and regulatory aspects of Internet and the information society. You can subsribe to the newsletter here... [GO]

Working with the Media

With the continual occurrence of cases of children being hurt by adults on the Internet , Childnet staff have often been asked by the media for advice and comment. Often we have been able to refer these requests onto others with specialist expertise and our strategy has been to judge each media request on its own merit. If we feel we should share from our experiences we will use this platform carefully and try to bring a wider perspective. Where appropriate we have sought to put over the key safety messages in a way which is balanced and relevant to the mass audience.

Part of the challenge is that the media often focuses on the news that often reflects a wider perception of fear and anxiety. Avoiding being caught up in a media frenzy at times when sadly young people have been hurt, but using the opportunities to comment on what needs to be done whilst at the same time reassuring parents and young people is challenging.

"At the case in which a young girl had gone missing with a man whom she had met on the Internet in July of 2003, we asked Stephen Carrick-Davies from Childnet to do a special 30 minute live SKY TV news interview on the subject of Internet safety. With very short notice, Stephen agreed and helped us respond directly to viewer's questions and concerns about Internet safety. I personally was deeply impressed at Childnet's work and the positive, balanced message and practical advice they gave out at this time of public anxiety. We had excellent feedback from both viewers and colleagues here at Sky and I very much commend the work and professionalism of Childnet in educating parents and young people about the online safety issues." Martin Stanford, News Anchor, SKY TV.