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Secondary school students are facing a crisis of confidence when it comes to using the internet for research and homework.

A new report from Encyclopaedia Britannica reveals that one in five students (19 per cent) often feel unsafe or worried by easily-accessible inappropriate content when using the internet for exam preparation, coursework or homework.

Britannica currently works with schools in Bahrain to provide an online learning platform for students to ensure that they have access to reliable and safe online material and that they are taught about the principles of e-safety.

The research also reveals that nearly a third of students admit to having inadvertently accessed unsuitable content when researching for schoolwork, with a further two in five saying that it is ‘too easy’ to access this material.

Many students are also concerned that their schools are not doing enough to equip them to avoid accessing unsuitable sites. One in five students say that their school has never taught them basic online safety tips.

A lack of understanding of how to research online is also forcing many students into bad habits. More than a third say they never consider who has published the information they are accessing, while half concede they usually just rely on sites which appear at the top of a Google search.

To help schools in Bahrain teach their students about the importance of e-safety, Britannica has developed a free comprehensive e-safety guide, which examines best practice for searching safely and using social networks and online gaming platforms, as well as advice for teachers and parents.

Britannica’s guide is available for all schools to download for free and can be found by visiting www.britannica.co.uk/education

Eoghan Hughes, PR manager.

St Christopher’s inaugural Model United Nations (MUN) took place last Saturday. MUN is described as ‘an academic simulation of the UN that aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the UN’s agenda’.

The event was coordinated and executed with finesse by directors Saumya Choudhary and Shayan Khan, both in their final year at St Christopher’s School. As well as being organised by students, it was also run by students with roles such as security, runners and press.

The heart of MUN is, of course, the delegates. Six schools participated, St Christopher’s School, the British School of Bahrain, Al Raja School, New Millennium School DPS, The Indian School and Creativity Private School.

The day opened with a ceremony and speeches from head teacher Nick Wilson followed by secretary general Devi Nair who described the event as being ‘in the midst of making history’.

The 120 delegates were divided into five councils - General Assembly, Human Rights Council, Economic and Social Council, Security Council and the European Union. The issues included pressing topics such as the promotion of stability in the South China Sea and the prevention of recruitment and use of child soldiers, to name but a few.

Debate ensued with delegates working together to resolve various crisis scenarios. A particularly interesting one was that of a trade war between Mexico and the US over tomatoes!
The day concluded with a closing ceremony where participants where presented with certificates - a brilliant, prestigious and stimulating day enjoyed by all.

Puna Harriet Hanson-Singh and Megan Rose Cox, Bahrain.

For the past two weeks I have received several calls in the middle of the night from an 0088 telephone number and it rings off just before I am able to answer.

Apart from the frustration of being woken up, I’ve no idea who has called but checked on the internet and it appears to be a Bangladeshi number.

I have called the number only to find music being played on the other end and my telecom operator Batelco has informed me that it cannot block the number.

This is obviously a rip-off but what can be done?

James, Saar.

Editor’s note: We contacted Batelco and its group general manager media relations Ahmed Al Janahi, replied: “These Spam calls are coming from satellite destinations, not specific countries. The purpose of the missed calls is to encourage the called person to call back.  It’s all about gathering their personal details and making revenue from the calls.  When the customer calls the number back they reach a fake Interactive Voice Response telling them they have won a big prize and in order to have it sent they must provide all their personal details. 

“Batelco is currently in contact with the concerned operators and destinations to try and stop these Spam calls. The advice is Do NOT call the number back. Under no circumstances should anyone provide their personal details to people who carry out spam calls.”