Darlington kids speak out at first Online Safety Forum

Fight videos, AI, blackmail, pornography and strangers on video games were just some of the issues raised by year 10 students from across the town at the first Online Safety Forum at Darlington College on Friday (November 8).

Students from every secondary school in Darlington attended the gathering which was organised and pioneered by MP Lola McEvoy who after her election vowed to "tackle the situation facing the mental health of young people" - often negatively affected by social media.

Students with Lola McEvoy for the first ever Online Safety Forum. (Image: HATTIE BARNES) During the session, students were asked to anonymously write down the issues and experiences they have had on social media - which ended up spanning from catfishing to blackmail.

They were then discussed openly and explained to Ms McEvoy with the hopes of using the children's experiences to bring about positive change when it comes to online safety.

Large pieces of paper were placed on each of the group's tables who then brainstormed 

In a chat with The Northern Echo after the two-hour forum, students opened up about the positive change the forum could bring - as well as what they believe is the most harmful app.

Nathan Barrowcliffe from Beaumont Academy said: "I think its really good to bring these problems to light - we need to change the way we think everything works.

"It's not as easy as people think - if you look deep enough you can really see the problems. We can change this and make it better for us kids. 

Jacob Lea and Nathan Barrowcliffe. (Image: HATTIE BARNES) "One of the big problems is the next generation of kids are going to have access to social media and have nothing in place."

Luke Gardner from Hurworth School said: "I think it's really good to get kids' voices out - it's really important to listen to each other's experiences."

Grace Airey, also from Hurworth, added: "Things like this will make it easier to see the problems with online safety. If we raise this as a problem we can all find ways to deal with it."

Luke Gardner and Grace Airey. (Image: HATTIE BARNES) Jacob Lea, also of Beaumont Academy said: "I found the session really enlightening. I think it will inspire some people to know that their voices are heard and whatever they are going through isn’t just exclusive to them.

"There are always ways to find help and emotional support from people you know and trust."

When asked to elaborate, the kids agreed that Snapchat is the most problematic app when it comes to bullying.

From people putting things on stories to sending screenshots that can be saved, the messaging app was particularly highlighted by the children - most of whom use the app to chat with friends.

Briony Heljula and Matthew Adams from Polam Hall. (Image: HATTIE BARNES) Confession pages for anonymous opinions are also normalised - where people receive and publish often malicious and mean statements about classmates.

The group agreed that rumours spread in this way can have a massive detrimental impact on them. They said, "you have to constantly look behind your back" and it "can change your whole personality".

However, the children were hugely optimistic about having the attention of their MP and possible change their experiences could help make.

Nathan Barrowcliffe said: "It's time for us to have a change. If we use our voices we can put laws in place that protect everyone."

Jacob Lea added: "We have a voice, whatever we say can be used to change the world for the better."

As the morning came to a close, Lola McEvoy praised those who took part and vowed to take the issues they raised forward.

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• Lola McEvoy: Young people in Darlington must be safe online

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Lola with students at the first Online Safety Forum. (Image: HATTIE BARNES) She said: "Today has been enlightening and it's confirmed how glad I am to be prioritising this issue. We're discussing it in parliament with my peers and it is just coming up a lot.

"There is just so many things that need to change with online safety. I'm glad we are able to bring this forum forward and it's important to me that it is shaped by young people.

"They know what's going on - and some of it was difficult to hear."