NEWS
New 'cyber safety' pocket guide for kids launched
The first ever 'cyber-safety Pocket Guide', produced by the Churches Child Protection
Advisory Service [CCPAS] aims to help parents keep their children safe online.
A survey published this week shows that nearly 75% of parents are worried that
the internet-based services available via the new 3G phones - going on sale in
the autumn - will harm their children.
The
guide, which is small enough to fit into pockets, wallets or
purses, is currently being tested in schools and contains the
all-important internet safety 'dos and don'ts'. The booklet also
lists details of helpful child protection sites and organisations
as well as telephone helplines.
Initially, CCPAS plan to target churches and schools across the UK. The 'cyber-safety
guide' is the first publication to be issued under CCPAS' new 'childprotectionuk.net'
brand, part of its commitment to ensure child protection for all, and not just
within the bounds of churches and faith-based organisations.
Based on its popular Protecting Children and Young People booklet, which has
sold more than 200,000 copies, the new guide includes simple advice and practical
guidance for workers, parents and children and young people.
David Pearson, Director of CCPAS, explains: "Almost every day we hear
reports of children abducted or abused by people they have met on the internet.
By reminding our children and young people to follow a basic set of rules,
I have no doubt that number can be reduced significantly."
The publication of specific guidance relating to the internet has been made
necessary by an exponential rise in internet abuse over the last few years.
A recent survey for a children's charity revealed that offences in child pornography
have risen 1,500% since 1988, while the Police investigation 'Operation Ore'
is currently investigating 6,500 people alleged to have paid for child porn
using their credit cards.
David Pearson concluded by reiterating CCPAS's position at the forefront in
the effort to promote the safe use of the internet for churches and families. "We
[CCPAS] have issued child protection guidelines on the use of the internet
for churches and organisations, as well as helping children and young people
stay safe when using the internet and other communication systems including
text messages, e-mails and chatrooms."
- For
more information or free samples of the new pocket guide, send
an SAE to CCPAS at PO Box 133, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7UQ, or call
the office on 0845 120 4550. www.ccpas.co.uk
Preparing
for world's largest young carers' festival
More than 1,000 children and young people caring for parents, brothers, sisters
and other family members who are seriously ill or disabled, will take part
in the fifth national Young Carers Festival next month.
The action-packed weekend from 25-27 June at South East Hampshire YMCA in Botley,
Hampshire, is the biggest gathering of young carers in the world. Children
from Cornwall to Ayrshire will get together to have fun and forget responsibilities
that usually dominate their lives. Activities at the festival include outdoor
pursuits such as canoeing and climbing, as well as fireworks, a carnival, arts
activities and a disco.
The theme of this year’s festival is Celebration. Young Carers will be
celebrating the five years of the festival and its success in bringing the
needs of young carers to the attention of national Government. Express FM,
an on-site radio station run by young carers will broadcast live throughout
the weekend. Programmes will include interviews with MPs from around the country,
by telephone and in person. Messages of support from celebrities will also
be broadcast.
"Many young carers say how isolated they feel and that meeting others in
the same situation really helps," explains Jenny Frank of the Young Carers
Initiative. "Throughout the year, young carers rely on local projects across
the UK that offer a range of direct services to young carers and their families.
The festival offers the opportunity to meet other young carers and to have a
united voice in campaigning for change.
"Young Carers are calling on professionals working in health, education
and social services to coordinate the help they offer. This will help to support
young carers and to meet the needs of the whole family."
For more information visit www.childrenssociety.org.uk/youngcarers
More than a third of parents admit sunburn slip despite warnings
More than a third of parents in Great Britain admit their child has been sunburnt,
despite the majority knowing that over-exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer.
These statistics have been released by Cancer Research UK and Boots, on the
day that the charity launches its Kids Cook Quick poster, aimed at parents
and carers of young children. This also marked the start of Sun Awareness
Week (May 10–16).
The poster, created for Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign (www.sunsmart.org.uk),
has been designed to highlight how quickly children's skin can burn in the
sun. It features the slogan Kids Cook Quick along with a picture of two sunburnt
children sitting on the beach. The poster is being sent to 19,000 nurseries
and all GP surgeries, as well as being displayed in Boots pharmacies nationally.
Sara Hiom, co-ordinator of Cancer Research UK's SunSmart campaign says, "This
poster has been created to help remind parents to protect their children. "Our
survey shows that just over three-quarters of parents know that it's never
OK for a child to go red in the sun, but they may not always realise that young
skin can burn very quickly, in as little as 10 minutes. Sometimes, even with
the best intentions, we can be caught out.
"We hope the Kids Cook Quick slogan will stick in parents' minds
over the summer and remind them to make sure their children are properly protected
whenever they are in the sun, by following the SunSmart code.
"This means seeking shade in the middle of the day, covering up with a hat,
T-shirt and sunglasses, as well as using sunscreen that is factor 15 or higher." Children's
skin is much more delicate than adults' and research shows that sunburn in childhood
can double the risk of getting skin cancer later in life.
Dr Catherine Harwood, consultant dermatologist for Cancer Research UK comments: "We
get around 80% of our exposure to the sun before the age of 21. So it is vital
that parents are aware of the dangers and know how to protect their children
properly."
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