Keeping Armenian children safe ‘online’
The DVD featuring cartoon characters and children’s voices is in Armenian, Arabic and English and is targeted to children of different ages. It aims at helping children to get the most out of the Internet, Instant Messenger, social networking sites like Facebook, as well as gaming zones, and cellular phones in a safe and responsible way.
“Children often know more about the Internet than their parents do; this increases the vulnerability of children when using Skype, Messenger, Internet, and other means of communication”, said Kristine Melkonyan, computing teacher in Talin Area Development Programme.
“More often children access Internet not at home or at school but in the Internet club which decreases the chances of proper control”, said Lusine Grigoryan, social worker at the cultural centre in Gyumri Saint Jacob Church.
My mum shared that one of my relatives has a correspondence with a 16-year-old boy but when they met she was surprised because he was more than 50 A limited number of adults in Armenia are familiar with the Internet. At the beginning of the session parents were indifferent towards the subject. With their insufficient knowledge parents were not able to recognise that the issue of using new communication techniques with limited understanding of potential harm is very critical.
“During the introduction parents looked indifferent. However, when the discussion became more serious and they understood that this is all about the protection of their children, they demonstrated more interest and asked us to talk to their children individually”, said Zara Aslanyan, Yerevan ADP Transformational Development Facilitator.
The DVD is an innovative and interactive way of training children. The cartoons used in the presentation help children to absorb the information during the sessions and encourage their participation in discussions.
“We have Internet at home but I avoid entering unknown sites. My mum shared that one of my relatives has a correspondence with a 16-year-old boy but when they met she was surprised because he was more than 50”, said Astghik Navasardayn, 12.
“I would like to have more freedom online but my parents do not know how to filter the sites”, continued Astghik.
Children use the Internet to find fresh information, to have access to additional resources and improve their homework, to learn more about famous people, and to be in contact with their relatives and friends who live outside Armenia.
“My aunt is in America, other relatives in Baltic countries. I use the Internet to be in contact with them. I know the Internet can give me more but I am afraid from certain sites. I have seen several TV programmes that there are hunters of children who use e-mails, Skype, and mobile phones. Also I know that by mistake I can enter a site and later they may charge money from my parents”, said Gevorgayn Marieta, 11.
“Yerevan ADP staff will organise a ‘Train the trainer’ sessions for other nine ADPs and they will circulate the DVDs in the ADP communities. For the first phase of the project implementation 80 children from two schools per ADP and all children who attend computer classes or clubs supported by World Vision will participate in the sessions”, said Tigran Tshorokhyan.
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“Children often know more about the Internet than their parents do; this increases the vulnerability of children when using Skype, Messenger, Internet, and other means of communication”, said Kristine Melkonyan, computing teacher in Talin Area Development Programme.
“More often children access Internet not at home or at school but in the Internet club which decreases the chances of proper control”, said Lusine Grigoryan, social worker at the cultural centre in Gyumri Saint Jacob Church.
My mum shared that one of my relatives has a correspondence with a 16-year-old boy but when they met she was surprised because he was more than 50 A limited number of adults in Armenia are familiar with the Internet. At the beginning of the session parents were indifferent towards the subject. With their insufficient knowledge parents were not able to recognise that the issue of using new communication techniques with limited understanding of potential harm is very critical.
“During the introduction parents looked indifferent. However, when the discussion became more serious and they understood that this is all about the protection of their children, they demonstrated more interest and asked us to talk to their children individually”, said Zara Aslanyan, Yerevan ADP Transformational Development Facilitator.
The DVD is an innovative and interactive way of training children. The cartoons used in the presentation help children to absorb the information during the sessions and encourage their participation in discussions.
“We have Internet at home but I avoid entering unknown sites. My mum shared that one of my relatives has a correspondence with a 16-year-old boy but when they met she was surprised because he was more than 50”, said Astghik Navasardayn, 12.
“I would like to have more freedom online but my parents do not know how to filter the sites”, continued Astghik.
Children use the Internet to find fresh information, to have access to additional resources and improve their homework, to learn more about famous people, and to be in contact with their relatives and friends who live outside Armenia.
“My aunt is in America, other relatives in Baltic countries. I use the Internet to be in contact with them. I know the Internet can give me more but I am afraid from certain sites. I have seen several TV programmes that there are hunters of children who use e-mails, Skype, and mobile phones. Also I know that by mistake I can enter a site and later they may charge money from my parents”, said Gevorgayn Marieta, 11.
“Yerevan ADP staff will organise a ‘Train the trainer’ sessions for other nine ADPs and they will circulate the DVDs in the ADP communities. For the first phase of the project implementation 80 children from two schools per ADP and all children who attend computer classes or clubs supported by World Vision will participate in the sessions”, said Tigran Tshorokhyan.
-Ends-
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