The Social Switch Project is switching the narrative on how social media’s relationship to youth violence is understood, tackled and solved. Funded by the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, and supported by leading charities Redthread, Catch 22 and Google.org, the Social Switch Project is piloting in Salford a multi-layered social media education programme. This will look to educate and empower a range of stakeholders – young people, parents and professionals – around how to navigate the pitfalls and make the most of the opportunities online. It will be delivered both online and face-to-face, tackling content far beyond social media, including: identity and belonging; relationships; wider risks and opportunities; and creating shared guidelines. Linking into schools and the primary-secondary school transition, at the core of this training is peer-to-peer mentoring and coaching.
The programme of activities include delivery of social media training for:
The aims of the pilot are to:
Currently the pilot is being ran at Salford City Academy, Irlam and Cadishead Academy, The Albion Academy and Buile Hill Academy.