# Google.org funds project to tackle online harm

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/11/04/google-org-funds-project-to-tackle-online-harm/
- Published: 2019-11-04T09:00:15+00:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Charities Redthread and Catch22 have launched a pilot project to help tackle online
harm, funded by Google.org.**

The [Social Switch Project](http://www.thesocialswitchproject.org.uk) started last
week, and will run until August next year with three strands. The first will deliver
free training to 500 frontline professionals across London on addressing the challenges
of social media and harmful online behaviour, and preventing the violence which 
can escalate. The training also covers how professionals can encourage positive 
and creative social media use. Participants of the programme will include teachers,
youth workers, social workers, and police staff.

The project will also train young Londoners to help them launch digital careers,
and provide grants for grassroots ideas across London engaging young people and 
working to steer them away from violence.

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As well as [Catch22](https://www.catch-22.org.uk), [Redthread](https://www.redthread.org.uk),
and [Google.org](https://www.google.org), the project has an advisory board including
representatives from across the sector, police, and academics, from Facebook, YouTube,
MOPAC, and the Metropolitan Police, to The Children’s Society, MAC-UK and the Young
Londoner’s Fund.

By August 2020, The Social Switch Project aims to have trained 500 front-line professionals
to be able to openly discuss the challenges and opportunities young people face 
online. It also aims to have trained 30 young Londoners in social media management
and to have completed work experience with leading organisations across London, 
and to have distributed thousands of pounds to grassroots organisations leading 
the change in London.

Ben McOwen Wilson, Managing Director of YouTube UK, said:

> “We all want to ensure that young people are safe, whether they’re out and about
> in London or exploring the online world. By working together we can help everyone
> make the most of what the internet has to offer.”

 * **['Big brotherish' Google cancels charity's campaigning ads](https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/02/16/039big-brotherish039-google-cancels-charity039s-campaigning-ads/)**(
   16 February 2004)
 * **[Google offers in-kind advertising in grants programme](https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/10/07/google-offers-inkind-advertising-grants-programme/)**(
   7 October 2004)
 * **[Google foundation announced](https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/10/18/google-foundation-announced/)**(
   18 October 2005)

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