STUDENTS have been considering the bitter truth in an initiative designed to help stay safe and flourish in the modern world.
Experts in the fields of sexual health, cyber safety and drug, alcohol and substance abuse spent the day working with Year 9 students at The King’s Academy, Coulby Newham.
The Truth Is roadshow aims to reduce risks as young people are exposed to the complexities and possible pitfalls of modern life.
After watching a special video the students were divided into three groups to take part in a carousel of workshops covering teenage pregnancy, contraception and sexual health, internet safety and substances awareness.
The advice sessions were delivered by Middlesbrough Council’s Teenage Pregnancy Unit counsellor Ralph Jordinson, Platform young people’s drug and alcohol worker Michael White and Linx Project youth worker John Burns.
The legal and physical dangers of alcohol, tobacco, drugs, legal highs and other substances were outlined as part of the first workshop.
The second addressed sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies while the last looked at cyber safety including social media, personal security settings and the potential for strangers to use fake profiles to groom victims.
Ralph said: “Young people live in an increasingly complex world driven by rapid developments in technology where it is easy to fall foul of the dangers.
“I was impressed with the students’ knowledge of the potential pitfalls and hopefully the day will reinforce the need to take care.”
Pastoral head at The King’s Academy Jackie Hurst added: “It is important to raise awareness of these issues and to talk about them. Young people can be exposed to them more easily than adults often realise, so we need to ensure students are made aware of the dangers and possible consequences.”
