3 March 2010
Be-Free conducted a series of workshops titled "I am a Strong, Smart, and Safe Child...over the Internet" about the essential protection skills for children in grades 1 to 3 and 4 to 6. In these workshops, real cases has been discussed of issues occurred to the children or their friends over the internet, and the optimum action in such situations.
Through the discussed issues, it was clear the amount of information children have about the internet, and also the different situations they go through.
To help children stay safe over the internet, they need to be supported to make smarter decisions, which is what they all agreed on, but they have also discussed their concerns with this point. One of the main concerns discussed is; if a child did a mistake once and another person is blackmailing him/her. In such situations it is difficult to inform a school teacher or the parents, some said. This concern was discussed thoroughly with the children. Some of their suggestions to overcome it was:
To inform mothers first, as they can listen to the end and are calmer than fathers ?
To inform the school teacher and tell him/her their concerns, and ask for help
Ask the father to promise that he will not be angry, and then tell him the problem
...and for parents... the main protection factor is to help the children to speak about their concerns and worries....and provide them the peace and love that children thrive on...
