24/09/10…..New internet safety programme to help protect children online

A new internet safety programme is running in Oxfordshire to prevent children giving out personal information online.

The Internet Safety Scenario is organised by the Junior Citizen Trust which is run by Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards.

The trust offers different safety scenarios to year six school children, free of charge, to help them make decisions and learn from their mistakes in real life situations. Every year about 4,500 children visit the Junior Citizen sessions, which are held at are held at Rewley Road Fire Station in Oxford.

Raising awareness

The new internet safety scenario has been trialled since January and is has now rapidly becoming a favourite with both children and teachers alike. It involves an interactive scenario to make children more aware that they may not know the person they are talking to online. The scenario educates pupils on why they should not share addresses, phone numbers and other personal information via social networking sites.

The children are also taught about the Child Exploitation & Online Protection (CEOP) Centre report button that is becoming a common feature of social networking sites. By clicking the button, members can report bullying, grooming, virus and hacking concerns, and access the latest advice. They will also find details about their local police and be able to contact specially trained CEOP officers. It also provides direct links to other help like Childline and Beatbullying.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, Judith Heathcoat said: “This new internet safety scenario promises to be a superb addition to the different safety scenarios already in existence and used by the young school children of Oxfordshire. It helps to build on the Junior Citizen’s very successful programme of education which teaches awareness and personal safety.”

SOURCE: Press release