More web initiaitves must create a safety net (From The Northern Echo)

More web initiaitves must create a safety net

8:00am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Darlington By David Roberts, Chief Reporter (Darlington)

PUPILS at a North-East primary school have been given lessons on how to keep safe online as part of Internet Safety Awareness day.

The lessons are part of the legacy after the death of a Darlington teenager at the hands of an internet predator.

In 2009, 17-year-old Ashleigh Hall was murdered by convicted sex offender Peter Chapman after he groomed her on Facebook posing as a 19-year-old.

The murder led The Northern Echo to set up the Safety Net campaign with the support of Ashleigh’s family, which was successful in calling for internet safety to become a mandatory part of the school curriculum.

Yesterday, youngsters at St Augustine’s RC Primary School, in Darlington, were given lessons on e-safety.

Headteacher Martina Mc- Collom said the lessons had been organised after staff discovered that some of the pupils were using Facebook outside of school. The minimum age of Facebook subscribers is 13. Mrs McCollom said: “Internet safety is incorporated in ICT anyhow, but we’re being a bit more focused this week, doing things like making posters and we’re putting items in our school newsletter.

“We’re also keeping parents informed and encouraging them to ask questions. Obviously pupils use the internet safely in school, but we want them to use the internet safely when they’re away.”

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Darlington’s Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people and chairwoman of the Darlington Children’s Trust, said the key was balancing the risks with the opportunities presented by the internet.

She said: “The internet represents a fantastic environment in which to learn, discover, communicate and have fun. But, just as in the real world, there are risks as well as great opportunities.

“As the mother of a 14 year old and a 12 year old, I know how difficult it can be to balance this important message.”

Last night, Mike Hall, Ashleigh’s grandfather, said: “It’s good news that pupils are having these lessons, although there’s still a long way to go.

“But it’s brilliant news that it’s getting through to these little ones.”

Parents are being encouraged to go online and find out more about the children’s internet habits.

Fran Gosling Thomas, chairwoman of Durham’s Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, said: “The use of social media by children can be very useful in their development, but can also present offenders with the tools to target vulnerable children.

“We must work with parents on initiatives such as this, to cut off the opportunities for people who want to exploit our children and young people.”

For information about internet security, go to ceop.police.uk. If people have any concerns about internet activity, they can call police on 101.