YOUTH SERVICE URGE FOCUS ON ONLINE BEHAVIOUR
Donegal Youth Service is urging parents and young people to have more open conversations about behaviour online in the wake of the sad events of the weekend, with the tragic death of Erin Gallagher being linked to cyberbullying.
Letterkenny Youth Information Centre, which is managed by the Donegal Youth Service, regularly deliver Cyberbullying and Safe Internet Use seminars to a number of schools and parents groups across the county. Youth Information Co-ordinator Gareth Gibson says it is really important young people get the opportunity to talk about and discuss the effects of online behaviour on themselves and others both in the school and home environment. “Cyberbullying and safe use of the internet is definitely one of the biggest issues coming up again and again, not only for the young people of Donegal but also further afield. In our recent needs analysis with almost 500 young people in the county cyberbullying information and advice on dealing with internet use came out top again and again at a range of different age groups, which highlights the need for all schools and youth groups to really engage with this topic.”
The Youth Information service are also available to parents both on an individual or group basis also who feel they would like to have a consultation about internet use and would like to increase their own information base about current issues and behaviours online, including the use of sites such as Ask.fm and spillit.me.
As Youth Information Officer Martin Keeney explains, “We like to focus our seminars on online behaviour as much as just looking at the technologies. It’s important we don’t lose sight of the many different positives of the internet also but the choice comes down to the user and how they use the tools available to them. It’s also important to empower young people to make their own choices and to be able to realise just because everyone signs up to a particular site it doesn’t mean everyone has to. Individual choice is crucial and realising the dangers you are opening yourself up to.”
If you would like to contact the Youth Information Centre you can do so on 074-9129640 or email yicletterkenny@donegalyouthservice.ie . They are based at 16-18 Port Road, Letterkenny, directly across from the Grill niteclub.
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