Young people in Kilkenny have their say on internet safety

An innovative animation created by young Kilkenny people to educate their peers and parents on the importance of internet safety was launched today at an event at Foróige DRUM Youth Centre, MacDonagh Junction.

Finding your way in the Wild Wild Web is a joint venture between Foróige Kilkenny and Tusla’s Child and Family Support Networks (CFSN) and Children and Young Persons Services Committee (CYPSC). The initiative was funded by Tusla.

Scammers, hackers, fake personas and proper use of online block and report functions are some of the issues highlighted on Finding your way in the Wild Wild Web that was created by the young people after participating in an Agenda Day on internet safety which subsequently led to the collaboration. 

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The animation was officially launched by Tusla Prevention Partnership and Family Support (PPFS), Senior Manager for Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary, Sandra Collins.

Speaking at the launch event, she commented, “This is a really important and innovative piece of inter-agency work that heard young people’s voices and brought their views to a wider audience”. 

According to Sandra Collins, the initiative was underpinned by the Lundy Model of participation that provides a way of conceptualising a child's right to participation, as laid down in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“The young people who created this wonderful animation spoke to CYPSC about some of the issues around internet safety during a special Agenda Day where young people were asked their views about internet safety by slightly older, trained peers so they would express their views more openly. It was an adult-free space and the young people devised how they would like important messages to be communicated”, commented Nora Roberts Senior CFSN Coordinator Tusla.  

She thanked the young people who collaborated in the production - many of whom were in attendance – and acknowledged the support and cooperation of their parents and teachers. Appreciation was also extended to the agencies in attendance and to the staff at Foróige DRUM Youth Service. 

Finding your way in the Wild Wild Web can be viewed on You Tube at  https://youtu.be/ug5Kjsawhi8  and on the Kilkenny Child & Family Support Network’s YouTube channel.