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New report reveals what kids think about war and terrorism

A new report reveals how much children worry about war and terrorism and why – and if they don’t worry why not? It also looks at what solutions children have for making the world a safer place to grow up in.

The CHILDWISE What Kids Think About…War and Terrorism report interviewed a representative sample of 1,557 children aged between 7 and 16.

“This report takes a step back and allows children and teenagers’ words to speak for themselves, in turn allowing us to understand their thoughts, feelings, and opinions on the subject of war and terrorism,” says Dr Helena Dare Edwards, CHILDWISE researcher.

“It’s not often that adults hear what kids think about subjects like war and terrorism. But these matters affect them so they have a right to a voice,” says Helena.

As reported by the BBC, the report claims that "Media coverage of terror attacks and extremism can leave young people anxious and with an exaggerated fear of becoming victims", adding that "terrorism was seen as a bigger worry than issues such as bullying, racism, cruelty to children or worries about getting a job."

Dr Reza Gholami, a leading academic in this area and a senior lecturer in sociology of education at the University of Birmingham, wrote an independent foreword to the report. “The findings should act as a wake-up call,” he says.

“This report by CHILDWISE has immediate and long-term value to policy makers, the public sector, including educators, third sector and civil society organisations and, of course, the general public,” adds Dr Gholami.

Previous research by CHILDWISE has shown war and terrorism are top concerns among children. This latest report expands on this finding.

“The focus of the report rests on children’s own words, with their responses complemented by analysis and interpretive commentary to illustrate difference across age and gender and to highlight both majority and minority viewpoints and everything in between,” says Helena Dare Edwards.

For a range of anti-radicalisation and PREVENT resources including teaching materials, parents guides and staff training, join our Safeguarding Essentials service.

Young people and mental health in a changing world

On October 10th, people around the world will be taking part in the annual World Mental Health Day, drawing attention to the importance of mental well-being.

Organised by the World Federation for Mental Health since 1992 and supported by many of the national and international charities, this year the theme will focus on young people and mental health, highlighting the additional stresses faced by today’s youth that can lead to mental health issues.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, around 1 in 10 children and young people are affected by mental health problems including depressions and anxiety. However, they report a more worrying figure in that 70% of those young people have not received help at a sufficiently early age.

UK charity Young Minds report that half of mental health problems are evident by the age of 14, reaching 75% by the age of 24 – this goes to reinforce the importance of early intervention wherever possible.

WFMH President, Professor Alberto Trimboli adds: “This year, World Mental Health Day will talk about the issues facing young people and cover a small portion of the great research, stories, ideas and programs out there to help the next generations be strong and resilient in the face of hardship, life changes, discrimination and destruction. This information is only the beginning – there is an abundance of great information, organizations and advocates out there fighting for the wellbeing of young people

We ask that you join the 2018 World Mental Health Day campaign and help us create a larger audience, a greater impact and a unified voice for global mental health!”

The key topics being addressed, particularly focusing on young people, in the activities supporting World Mental Health Day this year include:

Bullying and cyber bullying

The effects of trauma

Major illnesses

Suicide

Gender identity

Ultimately the goal of WMHD is to look for a way forward: “We all know that a young person with support, stability and the information will usually lead to a positive, healthy adult. So, how do we make sure our young people have all the skills and support they need to achieve that? Early interventions, prevention, resilience support and programs to educate young people and the world around them. Following are just a few examples of ways we can help create an environment that leads to resilience and happiness.”

For more information about the campaign, visit the World Foundation for Mental Health website

For a range of mental well-being resources including teaching materials, parents guides and staff training, join our Safeguarding Essentials service.

Our partners at Friendly WiFi discuss the topic of public WiFi accessibility

Technology is a vital part of education in schools today from primary right through to secondary and beyond. We are in an age where the foundation of teaching is via some form of technology and a way to interact with students of all ages. Let’s face it, phones, tablets, laptops, gaming, shopping, etc – all the things our kids love to use and do is based around a piece of new age technology so of course they expect no less in their learning journey.

Parents at home are focussed on protecting their kids online from exposure, information and images that they wouldn’t wish them to see and there are many sites providing information that enables them to do their best to stop this happening. At home is an easier scenario to deal with for parents. What about when our kids leave the safety of the home. When they are out and about with their friends after school or our young son or daughter is bored at a family meal. A phone or tablet is not far from their reach and is usually in their hand! The same is when our kids are in school. Phones are used in many lessons for research to drive learning and obviously used by kids in their breaks. Many lessons are in computer rooms or sat at PC’s where talks are set and the internet is accessible.

Great for learning but what about the risk of exposure to indecent images and inappropriate material. By being in school this risk doesn’t automatically disappear, and parents are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers. Many solutions are put in place to protect data and cyber-attacks but the one area that can be easily forgot is a simple filtering solution. This will ensure that the indecent images and inappropriate material is blocked meaning our kids can’t be exposed and ensures that any visitors can’t also access such material. Important – yes of course it is. This type of material can be harmful to kids and their mental health and wellbeing is of paramount importance. It is also a safety net to stop online predators hanging around schools to access this type of material by jumping on their WiFi.

Figures taken from the Safeguarding Essentials - E-safety Checklist 2017/17 suggest that 20% of schools are still failing to implement adequate filtering and monitoring on their school network*

How can Friendly WiFi help?
The Friendly WiFi certification ensures that these filters are in place and this is checked annually giving peace of mind each year. The colourful symbol can be displayed physically in the school to show all visitors and students that the WiFi service is safe and that they are protected. By displaying the symbol online, it is also very visual to anyone wishing to use the service where it clearly shows that the WiFi service blocks inappropriate material. A great message for parents and provides them with peace of mind, brilliant for the school to show how seriously they take online safe and an essential and a certification which is so important in this every changing and challenging technology driven world.

Download a Friendly WiFi guide for teachers and parents

This downloadable document gives guidance on helping students understand how Friendly WiFi can protect them and is also a useful tool to share with parents about the scheme. Join free and download now

Subsidised memberships available

Here are Safeguarding Essentials, we are delighted to have teamed up with Friendly WiFi to offer subsidised membership to those most in need, with up to 100% discount available to qualifying schools.

Our subsidised memberships are allocated based on current Ofsted rating or school status.

Friendly WiFi are also offering their certification service at an exclusive cost to all Safeguarding Essentials members

Discover your discount now!

*The statistics quoted are taken from the Safeguarding Essentials interactive online e-safety checklist, which is available to all Safeguarding Essentials members. The 9 point checklist gives you an outline of the necessary action or procedure that needs to take place in your school, with references to additional information and support if you need them. Find out more