We are excited to announce a new partnership with BT to tackle online hate, bullying, and abuse through the launch of a new online education platform and a series of live events for young people.
New modules will be made available for free from today and can be accessed online. Through BT's Lead Partner status with the Home Nation FAs, a roadshow will kick off the new platform with eight workshops for 10–18-year-olds in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The workshops feature special guests and also build on BT's Hope United initiative, which launched last year, bringing together a diverse team of football players to tackle online hate in order to address the impact it can have on young people and what can be done to combat it.
The roadshow begins with workshops in Northern Ireland on 13 February, moving on to Scotland on 20/21 February, then Wales on 26/27 February, before concluding in England in March/April.
Everybody at Cybersmile is proud and excited to be working with BT to educate and positively impact young people across the UK on a range of key issues. Cybersmile believes that education and awareness are key to changing behaviors and potentially saving lives, which this initiative has been designed to do.
Scott Freeman, CEO, The Cybersmile Foundation
The roadshow content comprises of three modules we developed focusing on upskilling users and educating them on how to be good digital citizens. The modules will include content specific to each home nation and will focus on the following key topics:
- Why Hope Beats Hate: Find out how it can heal, empower, unite, inspire, and save people.
- The Impact of Online Abuse: The implications of online abuse and how everyone can be a better digital citizen.
- Digital Self-Care: Discover how to look after mental and physical wellbeing by keeping a healthy balance between online and offline lives.
In line with BT's purpose to Connect for Good and through its partnership with us, the new initiative aims to help more people across the nation have the skills they need to stay connected, tackle the digital divide, and support the UK's economic recovery.
Working alongside Cybersmile has allowed us to continue the vital work that Hope United kickstarted last year: to tackle the online hatred and cyberbullying that is sadly part of everyday life. We're also incredibly excited to further support grassroots football communities across the UK as part of our long-term partnerships with the four UK home nations football associations to up-skill millions of players, coaches and fans.
Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director, BT
The Hope United Roadshow will also contribute toward BT's digital skills target to provide 25 million people with the skills they need to make the most of life in the digital world.