Dorset’s free internet safety day

The countdown has begun for Dorset’s first internet safety day, a free public event aimed at raising awareness of keeping children safe online.

The Dorset Internet Safety Day, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, will be held at the Bournemouth Pavilion on Saturday, 3 October 2009, and at the Dorford Centre, Dorchester on Saturday, 10 October 2009. Families will be able to drop in between 10am and 4pm on both dates.

The event has been organised by Dorset Police and Dorset’s Safe School and Communities Team (SSCT) and is supported by Bournemouth Borough Council, Borough of Poole and Dorset County Council.

It will feature various internet safety presentations from members of the Safe Schools and Communities Team, which are suitable for children aged between 4-16 years old.

The majority of presentations will be interactive and some may also include videos. Presentations include ‘Cybercafe’, ‘Hector’s World’, ‘Think You Know’, and ‘Cyberbullying’.

All the presentations are repeated throughout the day and last no longer than 30 minutes.

Parents and carers, over the age of 18, will also be given the opportunity to watch hard-hitting presentation entitled ‘It happens in Dorset’ by Chief Inspector Dave Cregg. This will include recorded interviews with a young online grooming victim and comments from her mother.

Chief Inspector Cregg said: “Criminal activity in relation to the internet is a growing problem. “I want to make parents aware of the potential risks attached to the internet and give them the information they need to help safeguard their children.

“For the past few years, the Safe Schools and Communities Team has been providing schools with support material, delivering talks and holding ‘Cybersafe’ parents evenings, but this event will hopefully target parents in a more direct but fun way.

“We’re not asking families to spend all day at the event, simply pop-in, listen to a few talks and watch some videos.

“If parents leave the event having learnt just one piece of advice from the team, then it’s all been worth it.”

Parents, carers and young people of all ages can expect to get advice about how to stay safe online, learn how to report incidents, create safe social-networking sites and find out the effects of cyber-bullying.

‘Atlas’ from the Sky One series of Gladiator’s will also be making appearances throughout the day to sign autographs and encourage youngsters to be internet safe.

Children will also be treated to circus skills and ball games, thanks to West Dorset District Council’s Action Van.

For toddlers, there will be extra entertainment and a crèche facility.

For more information on how to get support and advice on staying safe on-line – visit www.dorset.police.uk