Children 1st launches free social media masterclass for parents and coaches to mark Safer Internet Day
Young people who are members of a sports team are at risk of grooming, inappropriate links with coaches and online bullying according to a major children’s charity.
Children 1st made the stark warning on Safer Internet Day saying it had increasingly heard of inappropriate use of mobile phones in changing rooms and bullying on social media.
With thousands of young people across Scotland taking part in sporting activity every week the charity has called for parents and coaches to get more clued up about technology trends and online risks in order to protect their children and participants.
It runs the Safeguarding in Sport service, in conjunction with Sport Scotland, to offer advice to those involved in young people’s sports.
Eilidh McCall-Lawrie, child protection lead for Scottish Swimming, said keeping up to date with technology and guidelines is invaluable.
“We’re increasingly dealing with incidents arising from social media use – anything from bullying to inappropriate use of modern technology in changing rooms,” she said.
We’re increasingly dealing with incidents arising from social media use – anything from bullying to inappropriate use of modern technology in changing rooms
“Modern technology gives us great opportunities – it can help with education, information, as well as helping with coaching or organising events – but it must be used responsibility in order to protect children."
Safeguarding in Sport manager Campbell Bell added: “By keeping in the loop on trends and risks online coaches are in a better position to support the children and young people they work with in sport,”
“With more organisations developing social media policies, this is timely and useful information.”
A free social media masterclass is being held at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena at Ratho on 10 March. Experts from the UK Safer Internet team will give an insight into where online risks lie and share the latest social media trends.
For more information email [email protected] or call 0141 418 5674.
