X Factor's Danny Dearden returns to Wardle Academy to promote anti-bullying campaign

Date published: 02 March 2015


Former pupil and X Factor contestant Danny Dearden returned to Wardle Academy on Friday 27 February, not only to entertain the Year 8 and Year 9 pupils, but to deliver an important message about cyber-bullying.

On behalf of the charity, Life Skills Education, Danny gave tips and advice on how pupils can protect themselves online, particularly using social media, and what to do if they feel like they are a victim of cyber-bullying.

Danny advised the pupils to keep their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles private, only accepting people they know and warned them about the dangers of sharing personal information and photos online.

Danny then went on to explain the effects of cyber-bullying and how a post or comment about someone can affect other people.

Cyber-bullying has recently been classified as a criminal offence – so Danny warned pupils that they must think carefully about what they say online.

The most important message Danny gave was, if you feel like you are a victim to cyber-bullying, you must tell someone. Whether it is a family member, friend, teacher, anti-bullying ambassador or by visiting an anti-bullying website, tell someone who can then help you deal with it. Block the bully, don’t retaliate and report them to the website.

Danny finished by performing a selection of songs which Year 8 and 9 pupils enjoyed singing and dancing along to. The pupils then got the chance to get Danny’s autograph and take a photo with him.

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