EverybodyOnline provides Online Safety for Andover Parents
Press Release
Date: Wednesday 16 July 2008
EverybodyOnline provide Online Safety for Andover Parents
Local internet project EverybodyOnline teamed up with Andover Family Learning to hold an ‘Online Safety for Parents’ workshop at the Longmeadow Centre in Andover. On Thursday 10th July 2008, parents and grandparents came along to the two hour workshop to learn how to help children and teenagers surf the internet safely.
The workshop, which was delivered by local EverybodyOnline Project Officer, Christine Alexander, involved an online safety video and an active discussion on ways in which they could ensure their children use the internet safely. At the end of the session participants were aware of issues they didn’t even know existed, and learnt different ways of supporting their children’s use of the internet. All the participants planned to use the information at home, including agreeing to an ‘Online Code of Conduct’ with their children.
The participants found the workshop informative and accessible. Media stories about online chat rooms and websites had caused them concern, but by gaining a better understanding of the risks, the participants felt that they would be confident in helping their children surf the internet more safely.
Local parent, Alison Weaver, who attended the session said: “I am going to recommend this course to other parents. It is really helpful.”
Learning Development Coordinator for Andover Family Learning Sandy Craig, added: “The internet has great benefits, but it is vital that children and adults learn how to use it safely."
Christine Alexander project officer for EverybodyOnline, a project delivered by UK charity Citizens Online and supported by BT, was really pleased with the turnout on the day, she said, “Parents teach their children valuable lessons about staying safe in the real world and it’s the same in the virtual world of the internet. To safeguard children effectively its really beneficial that parents learn as much as they can about the internet, understand what makes it so attractive to children, and what the potential risks are.”
For more information on EverybodyOnline and forthcoming internet training sessions in Alamein please contact Project Officer Christine Alexander on 07764 937664. For more information on Andover Family Learning please contact The Longmeadow Centre on 01264 359062 during term time.