The county-wide campaign has been developed following research from 'Tomorrow's Voice', a young citizen questionnaire supported by Wiltshire Constabulary and co-ordinated by Wiltshire County Council's Youth Development Service, which raised concerns over the potential dangers of using chat rooms. Over 2300 11-18 year olds responded to the questionnaire and the results showed that: 80% of young people use the net, the vast majority accessing it from home or school
7% of young people had agreed to meet up with someone they'd met though a chat room without checking with their parents first.
11% had been made to feel uncomfortable by 'chats' they'd had with someone in a chat room
79% of young people went online at least once or twice a week, primarily at home or school, for around 1-3 hours 'Who's Web Wise?', initiated by Wiltshire Constabulary and supported by Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council, aims to raise awareness about the importance of staying safe in chat rooms. Targeting 11-18 year olds, the campaign will encourage young people to visit www.wiltshire.police.uk to complete an on-line quiz. The quiz is both educational and informative and has the incentive of a Fujitsu Siemens personal computer for the two winners, and for both of their schools! | 'Who's Web Wise?' promotes the six point plan to staying safe in chat rooms: | 1) Don't give out any personal details such as your name or age, photographs, or any other information that could be used to identify you, such as information about your family, where you live or the school you go to.
2) Don't take other people at face value - they may not be who they seem to be.
3) Never arrange to meet someone you've only ever met on the Internet without first telling an adult and getting their permission. The first meeting place should always be in a public place and you should take a responsible adult with you.
4) Always stay in the public areas of a chat room where there are other people around.
5) Don't open an attachment or downloaded files unless you know and trust the person who has sent them.
6) Never respond directly to anything you find disturbing - save it or print it, log off and tell an adult. |
If you are 11-18 and live in Wiltshire, visit www.wiltshire.police.uk to participate in the 'Who's Web Wise?' quiz. For help and advice on staying safe on the internet and in chat rooms visit the wesbites listed in the righthand box. | 
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