Safety net for young surfers

SAFETY first . . . from left, Councillor Kay Knox, cabinet member for children, young people and families, Councillor Jack Hulme, Conservative group leader and Oldham Youth Council members Lee Thompson, Jacob Miller, Alex Igoe and Becca Dale

A CAMPAIGN to increase safety for youngsters browsing the internet has been launched in Oldham.

The e-Safety week is a joint project between Oldham Youth Council and Oldham’s Local Safeguarding Children Board to raise awareness of the dangers young people can face online.

The campaign has seen the official launch of the board’s e-Safety policy and the Youth Council charter of young people’s digital rights.

Training sessions will be held for anyone who needs to brush up on the ways of the digital world and there will also be courses for people who work with children and teenagers.

Jim Leivers, board chairman, said: “We take safeguarding children on the internet very seriously and the aim of e-Safety week is to raise awareness of how to use the internet, mobile phones and social networking and game sites safely. This should help stop children and young people becoming victims of scams or abuse and allow them to enjoy technology without having to worry.” To find out more about the training sessions visit www.esafetyweek.info