An upcoming webinar titled “Evidence-based toolkits for addressing online harms with boys and young men” is scheduled to take place online on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 1 pm to 2 pm. This timely event will delve into the digital challenges faced by young males and showcase solutions designed to mitigate these risks.
The digital landscape offers boundless opportunities but also poses significant risks, especially for young individuals. Boys and young men, in particular, are increasingly exposed to negative influences online that can shape their behaviour and perceptions. The webinar, organised by leading academics and experts, aims to equip educators and activists with effective tools to counteract these harmful influences. The session will feature presentations on two major toolkits developed through rigorous research.
#Men4change: Tackling and transforming harmful gendered norms and behaviours (Dr. Fiona O’Rourke and Dr. Craig Haslop): This toolkit is an evidence-based educational resource, which offers youth leaders and activists practical tools that they can use to support young men in recognising, tackling and preventing harmful gendered norms and behaviours in their online and offline peer groups, including sexual and gender-based abuse. The #Men4change toolkit was produced as part of a three-year research project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council.
Teenage boys and sexual consent: Guidance for educators (Dr. Emily Setty): This toolkit was co-developed with teenage boys aged 16-18 via a workshop that explored their perspectives on how best to educate teenage boys about the nuances and challenges of sexual consent. The toolkit outlines boys’ perspectives on sexual consent and presents practical guidance and suggestions for addressing the issues raised within RSE, focusing on the diversity and complexity of masculine sexual subjectivities and cultures, both online and offline.
The webinar will be chaired by Dr. Darragh McCashin, who heads the Observatory on Cyberbullying, Cyberhate, and Online Harassment.
Participants are encouraged to register in advance to secure a spot in this important discussion. The webinar promises to provide invaluable insights and tools for those working to safeguard and empower young men in the digital age.
