Chesterfield school children win competition to highlight dangers of sexting

Schoolchildren from Hasland are celebrating after their radio advert won a competition to educate youngsters about the dangers of sexting.
Schoolchildren from Hasland are celebrating after their radio advert won a competition to educate youngsters about the dangers of sexting.Schoolchildren from Hasland are celebrating after their radio advert won a competition to educate youngsters about the dangers of sexting.
Schoolchildren from Hasland are celebrating after their radio advert won a competition to educate youngsters about the dangers of sexting.

Derbyshire Constabulary, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and the city and county safeguarding boards worked together to launch a project in May that challenged students to create a 60-second radio commercial to raise awareness of the dangers of sexting.

Hardyal Dhindsa, the Police and Crime Commissioner, believes involving young people in policing and providing help to prevent them from becoming involved in crime is a top priority. He said: “The standard of entries was very high, making the selection of the eventual winner a tough task. However, Hasland School’s entry was particularly apt and I’m pleased to have been able to congratulate them in person.

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“If we can make young people aware of the long-term dangers of what may appear to be a simple bit of fun on their phone, then we have all done a good job. We will continue to stress the point wherever we can. But, in the meantime, I would like to congratulate everyone who took part in this project for a superb piece of work.”

Children from Hasland School in Chesterfield were chosen as the winning entry by a panel made up of representatives from the police, OPCC, Derbyshire County Council and safeguarding boards from city and county. Children from Newton’s Walk PRU in Derby were runners-up.

A total of 48 schools from across the county took part in the project and 64 commercials were submitted.

The competition was run by a company called Ucreate and was funded by the Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner, the advert will now be professionally produced and played on Peak FM.

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Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Derbyshire County Council’s deputy cabinet member for children’s services, said: “As social media becomes an ever-greater part of children’s lives it is vital that all young people are made aware of the risks and possible consequences of sexting. I congratulate Hasland Junior School on their efforts to help educate their peers.”