‘Keeping children and young people safe in a digital world’ was the theme of this year’s Flintshire and Wrexham Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (FWLSCB) annual conference, which took place recently.
The theme was chosen by managers and practitioners from various agencies who are facing the task of safeguarding children in a world where exploitation of young people via the internet has become a global industry. Keeping them safe is a challenge for parents and all those who work with children and young people.
A highlight was the Question Time style panel, where young people and adults asked questions to each other. This gave a valuable insight into young people’s perspective on the issues being discussed. The young people who took part represented the Young Flintshire website Editorial Group, the Flintshire Youth Forum, the Wrexham Youth Senedd, Connah’s Quay High School and the ‘Speaking for Children in Care’ Group.
Chairperson of the Flintshire and Wrexham LSCB, Julie Gillbanks, said:
“I am very pleased that the LSCB has been able to provide this opportunity to learn more about the subject of keeping children safe in a digital world for the range of professionals and volunteers across Flintshire and Wrexham who work with children and young people. There are few better ways to learn about what the challenges are in this area of work than by speaking to young people themselves, and those that contributed to and attended the annual conference provided us with a real insight to the challenges in this area and what we, as professionals, need to do!”
Keith Towler, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, opened the event and presented prizes to the winners of a competition. The winning entry was Ysgol Bryn Deva, whose film ‘The Cyber Bully’ explored internet safety in a comic, vibrant and creative way. Keith Towler said:
“I was really pleased to be able to join Wrexham and Flintshire Local Safeguarding Board’s conference. Its members are to be congratulated on recognising the challenges and opportunities afforded to them in the rapidly changing landscape of digital communications.”
Dr Sangeet Bhullar, Executive Director of WISE KIDS, a non-profit organisation promoting positive and safe use of the internet, gave the keynote speech with a clear message that we all have a role to play in helping children and young people develop the skills to use the internet and social media safely.
The day, hosted by Deeside College, was attended by over 100 people who took part in workshops on ‘Young People’s Digital Lives, ‘Facebook and Cyber-Bullying’, ‘Suicide, self harm and the Internet’ and on North Wales Police’s role in combating hi-tech crime committed against children and young people.
Information following the conference will be uploaded to the FWLSCB website
Website address is www.wrexham.gov.uk/fwlscb or www.flintshire.gov.uk and click on the link on the left of the page.
