Sparklebox statement due from Minister this morning

The Minister for Education Caitriona Ruane’s decision to make a emergency statement to the Assembly today on blocking schools access to an educational resource website run by a convicted sex offenders is welcome. You can follow it live here at about noon today http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/stream.htm

Ten days ago I warned the Minister that many schools were downloading workpages from the ‘Sparklebox’ teaching resources website.

I informed the Minister by means of a priority question that the person who owns this site, Samuel/Daniel/David King/Kinge (he has changed his name by deed-poll) was found guilty and imprisoned last week for making and possessing indecent images of children and babies. Last week I was informed that the Minister instructed that access through the C2K education portal has been blocked. I look forward to hearing her confirm that tomorrow in the Assembly.

This matter was brought to my intention by concerned parents in my constituency eleven days ago. It is essential that this site be blocked on the C2K system which all schools us. I also call on the authorities to monitor the site and want to warn parents about it.

Everyone should be aware of what has happened in this case and what lessons might be learned about internet safety.

Here is the question I tabled on Thursday 28^th January for priority two day answer. It was due for answer on Tuesday last but the Minister will instead come to the Assembly to make a statement on the matter.

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
ON TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2010

Questions To The Minister of Education

4. Mr C McDevitt ( South Belfast )

To ask the Minister of Education if she is aware that the owner and operator of the educational resource website ‘Sparklebox’ was found guilty of downloading abusive images of children; and if so, what steps she is taking to ensure that material from the ‘Sparklebox’ website is not used by schools.

(AQW 4381/10)