Former Scotland player James McFadden was at Spartans Football Academy on Wednesday April 13 to help deliver a workshop that teaches young people how to be good digital citizens.
The initiative, Hope United, is part of a joint effort by the home nation FA’s, BT and Cybersmile who are supporting a new platform to tackle online hate.
The project has Scottish legends James McFadden, Steven Naismith, Rachel Corsie and Lana Clelland as well as superstars such as Harry Kane down south throwing their weight behind it.
The new platform, which was launched in February earlier this year, will allow for young people to be able to sit modules for free that will educate them on why hope always beats hate, the impact of online abuse and how to best look after themselves online.
McFadden, who is now a Scottish football pundit, was helping to deliver the roadshow workshop that has been travelling across the UK teaching young footballers.
He admitted that although he himself has little experience of online abuse, as a parent he is keenly aware of the issues faced by young people and how social media bullying can impact lives.
McFadden said: “Kids no longer need to leave their homes to be bullied.
“Everyone has issues in life and this project won't fix that. But say you have an issue at school or on the streets back in the day, speaking personally, you'd go home and escape it.
“But now it is constant. The kids cannot escape it even when they go home. And unless your kid tells you that something is up, sometimes you will not have any idea that something is going on.
“Personally, I don’t go on social media and am not a big one for it. I know it's there. But I have kids who are online constantly and you are constantly trying to keep them safe.
“All the youngsters have been born into social media and to be honest at times it is them teaching us.
“That is why this is so important to educate, as I cannot speak for everyone, but my kids will jump at the chance to tell me what is right and what is wrong, which is brilliant cause they keep me right.
“This also means that those taking part in the online modules will be going home and educating their parents on how to act as the older generation, myself included, is new to a lot of this stuff.
“I became aware of the issues surrounding social media after seeing it come to the forefront of the media in recent times.
“Social media is such a prevalent part of kids' lives and we have to let them know what is acceptable behaviour online.
“It is also important to safeguard them to make sure they're not being abused, bullied or being taken advantage of. They need to know that there is support if they need help.
“Social media is huge now, and although it has a lot of pitfalls, that being said, I do believe the tool can be used for good.
“The more education there is surrounding how to behave will benefit us all. Kids need to know how to recognise bullying.
“Bullying is not always calling someone a name but can also be about general behaviour.
“The project is for everybody. Of course some of the abuse footballers get is over the top but the bigger issue is what is going on in young people’s home and school lives.
“Those without resources or a voice may struggle in silence and this is about doing our part to tackle that.
“All anyone ever talks about nowadays is football. So it is good that we can use football as a tool and a driver for positive change.
“Kids have sat here today and had a talk and answered some interactive questions but ultimately they are here cause they want to play football.
“So we can use the game as a tool to ensure they are learning how to identify bullying, how to behave better online and to keep themselves safe.”
When asked about whether social media companies should do more, McFadden said: “Without a doubt social media companies could do more to better safeguard the people using their services. This is especially true when you consider the younger generation.
“Everybody as a collective needs to do more to make online a safe place for kids to interact.”
The platform is understood to comprise of three modules that focus on upskilling those using the service and educating them on how to be good digital citizens.
The modules include content specific to each home nation and feature players from across the four teams, as they discuss their personal experience of online hate and abuse.
Scotland Captain Rachel Corsie added: “Education is vital to combating social media abuse; teaching youngsters about the real impact of online hate and the damage it can cause. It is something that nearly every footballer has faced, but it is something that no one should ever have to experience. That’s why the Hope United Roadshow is so important, not just in Scotland, but across the UK, as it will show why it is so vital to be responsible and considerate online.”
The Hope United Roadshow is the latest phase in BT’s Hope United strategy – a five-year plan that uses technology and innovation in footballing communities across the UK to help those involved with the game.
Scott Freeman, CEO of The Cybersmile Foundation said: “Everybody at Cybersmile is proud and excited to be working with BT to educate and positively impact young people across the U.K. on a range of key issues. Cybersmile believes that education and awareness are key to changing behaviours and potentially saving lives, which this initiative has been designed to do.”
To access the services and modules online please visit the Cybersmile link here.
