Sarah Newton supports calls for home-schooling computer package review
Truro and Falmouth MP Sarah Newton has called upon the Government to learn the lessons of the tragic death of Cornish teenager Simone Grice by reviewing the computer packages approved by the Department for Education to support home learners.
On the 6th January Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Safeguarding Children Panel published the findings of their review into the death of Simone Grice in July 2009. The review found that Simone, who was home educated with the support of the ‘No School’ computer package, used the non-restricted internet access permitted by the package to chat with older men in online chat rooms. This contact led to inappropriate relationships with a number of men, relationships which contributed to Simone’s suicide in 2009.
As a result of Simone’s death Cornwall Council are now insisting that any computers for home education be fitted with software to monitor exactly what websites the young people are accessing using the computers. The Coroner that led the inquest into the death of Simone, Emma Carlyon, intends to ask the Government to consider applying this policy to all home education computer packages.
Mrs Newton, who has previously called for greater awareness of the risks to children’s safety when they use the internet, has announced her intention of highlighting these concerns in Westminster, and will be calling on ministers to review home schooling computer packages in order to better protect young users.
Mrs Newton commented:
‘I was deeply concerned to learn of the circumstances of Simone’s sad death, which highlights the possible consequences of allowing vulnerable young people to have unfettered access to the internet. The role played by the ‘No School’ system in facilitating older men’s contact with Simone is troubling, and I will be urgently taking the Coroner’s concerns up with ministers.
The dangers to which children are exposed when they use the internet are more widespread than often thought. Devon and Cornwall Police are currently receiving an average of three reports a week concerning child exploitation. Detective Inspector Snell, Head of the Devon and Cornwall Child Exploitation Unit has stated his belief that easy internet access and chat rooms are involved in many of these cases.
I would encourage all parents and those who work with children to access information provided by the Government which outlines how best to keep children safe from online risks, and how to spot any signs that inappropriate contact with adults may be occurring. This information can be accessed though the website http://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ or by calling my office on 01872 274 760’
