Breck Foundation’s educational programs and awareness campaigns to tackle online grooming

The Breck Foundation was founded in the United Kingdom in 2014, when a personal loss caused one family to turn their grief into a movement to protect children from the horrors of online grooming. Read on to learn about the educational and awareness raising work the Breck Foundation carries out and the impact they have had.

Key points

• Educational outreach: We deliver workshops, presentations, and resources in schools and communities to teach children, parents, carers, and educators about online safety, including how to recognise and avoid online grooming and exploitation.
• Recognising signs of grooming: The foundation provides tools and training to help young people and adults identify the warning signs of online grooming, empowering them to take action before harm occurs.
• Awareness campaigns: We run nationwide campaigns to raise awareness about the risks associated with the digital world, aiming to empower young people to make safer choices online.
• Policy advocacy: The Breck Foundation actively works to influence policy and advocate for stronger protections and safety measures in the digital space to ensure a safer online environment for all children.

The problem

Breck Bednar, age 14, was groomed by an online predator for 12 months. Despite Breck’s family raising concerns to various authorities, including police, no one took it seriously and in February 2014 he was brutally murdered by the 18-year-old online predator.

As a result, Breck’s family set up the Breck Foundation up to address the growing threat of online grooming and exploitation faced by children and young people in an increasingly digital world.

As internet use became more prevalent, particularly among the younger population, so did the risks associated with it, including online predators targeting vulnerable children. The existing awareness and educational resources were insufficient to equip children, parents, and educators with the knowledge needed to recognise and prevent these dangers. There was a clear need for targeted, impactful educational programs and awareness campaigns that could bridge this gap, empower young people to navigate the digital world safely and protect them from potential harm.

The Breck Foundation was founded to fill this critical need, offering specialised resources and advocacy to ensure a safer online environment for all children.

The solution

The Breck Foundation’s primary goal is to prevent similar tragedies by raising awareness about the dangers of online grooming and exploitation. Our target audience includes children, young people, parents, educators, and communities across the nation.

To achieve our goals, we conduct school visits nationwide, delivering powerful presentations that tell Breck’s story and highlight the real dangers of online interactions. Through these sessions, we equip students with the tools and knowledge to recognise and avoid potential threats. We also provide parents and educators with resources to help them support and protect young people in the digital age.

We collaborate with various stakeholders, including schools, law enforcement, and other child protection organisations, to amplify our message and ensure a comprehensive approach to online safety.

One of our unique approaches is the personal and impactful storytelling of Breck’s experience, which resonates deeply with audiences and underscores the urgency of the issue. Our method is not just about education; it’s about creating a lasting emotional connection that inspires proactive safety measures in the digital world.

The impact 

The Breck Foundation has made significant strides in raising awareness about online safety, reaching thousands of students, parents, and educators across the UK. Since our inception, we have delivered educational workshops and presentations to over 200,000 students in more than 500 schools nationwide. These sessions have led to a measurable increase in awareness, with post-presentation surveys showing that 90% of students felt more informed about the dangers of online grooming.

Our campaigns have also achieved substantial digital reach. For instance, our social media awareness initiatives have reached people worldwide, spreading crucial information about online safety to a broader audience. Additionally, our collaboration with law enforcement and other child protection agencies has led to the development of more effective online safety protocols, which have been adopted by several schools and institutions.

Lessons learned 

One key lesson learned is the power of storytelling in driving home the importance of online safety. Sharing Breck’s story has proven to be an incredibly effective way to engage audiences, making the risks of online grooming more tangible and relatable. This approach not only raises awareness but also fosters a strong emotional connection, prompting immediate action from both students and parents.  

What worked particularly well was our collaboration with schools and law enforcement, which helped extend our reach and impact. However, we recognise the need for ongoing follow-up and support after our presentations to ensure that the lessons learned are retained and acted upon. /cont