INTEREST in a Christian arts company’s play highlighting the dangers of Internet grooming is growing so much there are hopes it could be rolled out nationally.

Saltmine’s production Esc (Escape) has already been successfully received at schools in Dudley, Bradford and Weymouth.
Staffordshire county council has now asked the play to be delivered in 350 of its schools, and a local education authority in Wolverhampton is in discussion with Saltmine.

There has also been interest in Glasgow, while the play was shortlisted for a ‘Children and Young People Now’ 2008 award for making a difference in the lives of young people. The issue of improved regulations on the Internet has been high on the Government agenda since Dr Tanya Byron’s review into child safety last year. With a short film version having been produced, and a promotional DVD being sent to every child safeguarding authority in the country, there are hopes that Esc could be seen by an increasingly wide number of children.

The play addresses the dangers of Internet paedophilia and cyber-bullying that can arise when children get online. It follows a walk in a forest, emphasising the dangers (in the form of lurking wolves) when one doesn’t stick to the paths. It is aimed at years four to seven (ages eight to 12), and an interactive workshop led by the actors follows the 45-minute production. Saltmine chief executive Phil Collins told The Baptist Times, ‘The feedback we have received has been really supportive - teachers and parents felt it was a really helpful way of sending a clear message out to children.

‘On the one hand it gives young people an image of the dangers there are.
‘It also gives parents and teachers more of an insight into the issues.
‘It really is quite frightening how little children and parents knowabout this, and the play really helps.
‘It’s definitely our aim to see it reach a wider audience.’

Dudley Borough commissioned both the play and the subsequent film, due to be launched on February 10 – International Internet Safeguarding Day. Dudley’s head of safeguarding Graham Tilbey has worked closely with Saltmine to develop the production.

He said, ‘Every child uses a computer, so tightening safeguarding laws is an issue for everyone.’

 By PAUL HOBSON