Glasgow charity warns online sectarian abuse can 'cost jobs'

PauseB4UPost, Nil by Mouth’s groundbreaking collaboration with a range of training and employment providers, aims to help 16 to 25-year-olds consider the real-life consequences of online behaviour on their employment prospects.

Dave Scott, director of the charity, which was set up by former Glasgow Times Scotswoman of the Year Cara Henderson, said: “Over the past decade I’ve worked with dozens of people who have made bad mistakes on social media resulting in serious consequences for many of them, both professionally and personally.

Cara Henderson, founder of Nil by Mouth and former Glasgow Scotswoman of the Year (Image: Newsquest)

“We know young people spend ever-increasing amounts of time on their phones and this can sometimes lead to them dismissing sectarian, racist or homophobic language as part and parcel of life, rather than the crossing of legal and moral boundaries.”

He added: “This project isn’t about telling people what to do or what to think. It’s about helping them make informed choices. The activities we do focus on how easy it is for others, including potential employers, to walk away with a bad impression of you based on what you post on social media platforms.

“Many of the young people we will be working with already have significant obstacles in their path to gaining employment, so if we can help prevent them putting up more, that can only be a good thing.”

Matthew Smith (not his real name) was arrested, aged 17, for posting sectarian messages on social media, costing him his apprenticeship.

The Pause B4U Post campaign aims to help young people understand the consequences of posting hateful messages online (Image: Newsquest)

“With encouragement from his family he signed up to a programme which focused on using sport as a way of gaining skills and confidence and he has since been able to move on to a placement and secure a part-time job,” says Dave.

“His mum got in touch with us to tell us how grateful she was that her son had realised his mistake and wasn’t letting it define the rest of his life.”

Pause B4U Post, which is supported by the Scottish Children’s Lottery, helps participants understand the consequences of posting online abuse and the impact it can have on the mental health of those being targeted.

READ NEXT: 'Community comes first': Easterhouse sports centre saved by local groups

Dave added: “We’d like to thank the Scottish Children's Lottery and its players for their generosity in supporting this project. Investment like this is a real boost to our work and allows partners to access services free of charge.

"We are keen to hear from any training and employment groups who would like to avail of this project over the next 12 months.”

Scott Millar, head of charity operations at Scottish Children's Lottery, said: “As our world becomes more digital it is important that our young people are able to understand how to make informed choices, striking a balance between exercising their right to free speech and respecting others' rights to a life free from threats and discrimination. 

“We are delighted to support the excellent Pause B4U Post programme."