Montceau-les-Mines Hosts “Digital Defender” Day to Combat Online Harassment
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Montceau-les-Mines, France – October 30, 2024 – Eighty young people aged 12-17 gathered at the Montceau-les-Mines Embarcadère on Wednesday, October 29th, for a “Digital Defender” day focused on educating youth about digital biases and countering online harassment.
The Growing Need for Digital Literacy
the initiative, spearheaded by info jeunes Saône-et-Loire, aims to equip young people with the tools to navigate the complexities and potential dangers of the internet.”Our objective is to bring together young people to educate them about digital biases so that they can counter certain practices, such as cyberharassment,” explained Christelle Roux-Amrane, president of Info Jeunes Saône-et-Loire.
Discussions during workshops highlighted a notable need for increased awareness regarding responsible online behaviour.
Responding to Online Conflict: A Workshop Insight
A practical exercise led by radio workshop facilitator Solène Plat revealed a common, yet counterproductive, reaction to online negativity. When asked what they would do if a friend was insulted online, one teenager responded, “I insult him too!”
Plat immediately addressed this response, emphasizing the importance of reporting abusive content, blocking the perpetrator, and seeking guidance from a trusted adult. This underscores the critical need to teach option conflict resolution strategies in the digital space.
Empowering Young Voices
Thirteen-year-old Caroline expressed the importance of open conversations about these issues, signaling a desire among young people to address online harassment proactively.