The first in a series of workshops on Adolescents and Cyber Abuse, targeting approximately 900 students from primary and secondary schools across the island, was launched today at the Almond Beach Resort.
Minister of Social Care, Steve Blackett, who addressed the first group of participants from several northern secondary schools, said the workshop was timely and provided an excellent opportunity for them to share their views on a topic, which has “caught the attention of the nation and the world in general”.
“I am reliably informed that today you will receive information in a variety of forms, through the spoken word, music, and dance and I would like to encourage you to become actively involved in all of the day’s proceedings as it is through your participation that you will receive knowledge,” he advised.
The workshops, organised by the Child Care Board, seek to get students’ perspective of how they use social media, as well as how they think it affects their mental health, and educational, social and moral development.
Mr. Blackett told the students that the workshop also gave them the opportunity to become more aware of the impact of cyber abuse and cyber bullying, and also guide their actions in the event they knew someone who might be a victim.
“It should also signal to you that you can be a victim by your own action of posting inappropriate materials and information about yourselves to friends and others. As the future leaders of this nation, I challenge you to seize these moments presented here today and work towards maximising your worth and potential in every sphere of your lives. You should use electronic gadgets for positive use, to move you towards your goals for the future especially during this electronic age,” he recommended.
He also urged them to ensure that whatever they did was for the betterment of others, and to commit to positive thinking and actions.