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May 6, 2004updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

BIRMINGHAM PAPER WARNS CHILDREN OF CHATROOM DANGERS

By Press Gazette

The Birmingham Evening Mail is tackling paedophiles who contact children via the internet with a new campaign called Chatroom Alert.

The Trinity Mirror daily has distributed 100,000 computer screen stickers to schools in the area, warning youngsters of the hidden dangers of using internet chatrooms.

West Midlands reporter of the year Lisa McCarthy and trainee reporter Emily Andrews are leading the campaign, which seeks to inform children and parents about how to keep chatrooms safe.

The Mail’s digital media department has also created a special website where children can report chatroom experiences and pick up safety tips.

McCarthy said: “We wanted to get the seriousness of the matter over, but we also wanted to make things fun and interesting, so there are games and competitions available on the website. The response from the schools involved has been tremendous.”

The campaign received backing on its launch day from Tony Blair, who said he was sure it would receive widespread support.

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Mail editor Roger Borrell said: “We have seen an increasing number of cases in Birmingham where children are either being tricked into chatrooms or are being befriended by perverts posing as teenagers.

“Someone has to make a stand and begin the fight back against these evil people.”

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

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