Learn how to protect children online at free workshop

PARENTS, professionals, teachers and members of the public are invited to a free training workshop which will provide the tools and information needed to help protect children and families from the dangers associated with an increasingly virtual world.

The workshop has been organised by Tamworth Borough Council’s Community Safety Team to explore the very real risks posed by online social media platforms and new generation smart phones. This includes concerns such as cyber-bullying, child sexual exploitation, grooming, stalking and harassment.

The workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 6, from 10.20am to 12noon at Rawlett School in Comberford Road. It will be repeated from 6.50pm to 8.30pm on Thursday, October 8, at the Corner Post Education Centre in Orchard Street, for anyone unable to attend a daytime session.

Issues to be discussed are relevant to parents, people who work with children and anyone who has an online profile and it is hoped that as many people as possible will attend.

The training is being delivered by David Benford Msc - a leading expert on hostile observations through social media and emerging technologies.

Its objectives include:

• Delivering an understanding of emerging security and privacy threats to young people when using social media, new generation mobile phones and other digital devices
• Explaining methods used to trace people via internet and social media
• To share information on devices, apps and social media used by children
• Providing guidelines for safe use of internet and portable digital devices
• Providing an overview of methods used by sexual predators to target children.

The workshop will be opened by Chief Executive of Tamworth Borough Council, Anthony Goodwin, who will share his experiences as the parent of a child who was subjected to online abuse.

Mr Goodwin said: “As a Local Authority Chief Executive with a duty to safeguard children and vulnerable adults you would be right to expect me to understand the issue and risks relating to the horrors of child sexual exploitation, child abuse and domestic violence, to name but a few.

“It was not until one of my own children was profoundly affected by what I can only describe as a mindless and vicious online attack that the implications and consequences hit home.

“It is difficult enough for public and voluntary bodies to tackle the causes and consequences of these acts in the real world; but when the perpetrators choose to hide their identities and actions within the virtual world, you realise how dangerous and damaging this can be.

“As a Chief Executive Officer, I can muster the resources available to me; I can work through partnerships, write strategies, develop policies and recruit people to help me undertake my duty. As a parent I have to rely on information, advice and guidance on how best to shield my children from the actions of others – not people I know; potentially not even people in this country, but people who, for their own reasons, get a kick out of ruining other people’s lives.

“This workshop will provide some of that information, advice and guidance and, if you are a parent, whether you are a chief executive, tinker, tailor, soldier or sailor, there is always something you can learn. To find solutions and give yourself some peace of mind you need to understand the problem. I actively encourage you to be there, I will.”

Demand for this latest training was identified following a previous session held at Namco Q Lounge in March this year which focused on child sexual exploitation.

Free places on the workshop can be booked by contacting Tamworth Borough Council Community Safety Officer Vicki Hewins on 07973 460128, or via email at [email protected].