Milestones of CRuSH – TCS' Drive for Cyber Wellness in Singapore
Milestones of CRuSH – TCS' Drive for Cyber Wellness in Singapore
OVERVIEW
TOUCH Community Services (TCS) pioneered Cyber Wellness education in Singapore through CRuSH - Cyberspace Risks and where U Seek Help.
The internet is a growing influence in the lives of youths today. Rules and values there differ from the real-world. Inevitably, social issues and problems emerge in these new frontiers.
Youths lack trustworthy role models and sound advice in the area of Cyber Wellness. This presents a unique problem to parents and educators as the reach and accessibility of the cyberspace grows.
The CRuSH team keeps up with the latest internet trends and aims to bridge the gap between youths and adults
Our core values are:
Respect & responsibility towards self, others & the medium of the Internet
Astuteness in using the Internet
Beyond the Internet - A balanced life
Embracing the Net & Inspiring Others
2000 - 2001
| One of our roadshows | A Project CRuSH class |
To help the community benefit from the healthy uses of the internet, and to avoid its pitfalls, CRuSH was born.
In 2000, TCS developed "Mentoring Teenagers in the Internet Age", a handbook to help parents and educators understand the issues facing teenagers in the area of the internet.
In 2001, CRuSH began two core items that have been a consistent part of the CRuSH suite of Cyber Wellness programs. These were the first of their kind in Singapore, targeted at net-savvy students and youth.
Project CRuSH – a 7 week program in a classroom setting where trainers teach about risks and consequences of unhealthy internet habits. Mentoring is done in the class as well as online. Using the Project CRuSH Forums where the trainers and e-mentors actively engage the youth.
CRuSH Roadshows – Several shows are available as 1 hour programs for schools. The topics that can be covered are:
Let's Chat – the dangers and misconceptions of chatroom friendships
PorNO! (2004) – the addictive and destructive nature of pornography
You Decide (2004) – about how we can and must make informed choices about our computer habits.
2002
| Training E-Mentors | Cyber Wholeness - Alternative activities |
In 2002, CRuSH began working to impart to older youths the benefits of Cyber Wellness. Teenage Project CRuSH graduates from Tanjong Katong Secondary School were trained as e-mentors in to help mentor their juniors on the CRuSH forums.
More partnerships were also formed with the community.
The Cyber Wholeness Enrichment Program was started the first program of its kind to address issues of gaming addiction by helping gamers develop alternative interests which add to their real-life skill-set.
CRuSH was featured for the first time in the national media as part of a show on 93.8 News Radio.
2003
| Some of our E-mentors |
In 2003 The E-mentoring community grew to new schools. The following Schools provided e-mentors.
TOUCH was also represented at the National Internet Advisory Committee's Cyber Wellness Task Force and received initial funding from the Media Development Authority for its suite of Cyber Wellness programs.
To reinforce Cyber Wellness values in prevailing issues, Planet CRuSH modules were introduced.
These modules are:
Hackers Crackers and Whackers – About protecting yourself and not becoming one either!
Yellow Tide– About the subtle but dangerous consequences of pornography and porn addiction. How you can help stop the tide.
SPAM – Learn the way to protect yourself from unwanted messages and understand the mind of the spammer. How to avoid becoming a spammer.
Fun and Fantasy, Fear and Futility – Understanding why games attract me, and learning to stay in control.
2004
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In 2004, CRuSH developed Cyber Wellness program templates for the Media Development Authority to multiply the reach of Cyber Wellness
To put greater focus on the positive side of the internet, the term "Cyber Wellness" as adopted in favor of "internet safety" with special emphasis on inspirational uses of the internet.
CRuSH began to reach beyond the classroom to CCA's such as Girl's Brigade, Boy's Brigade and Scouts.
CRuSH was also featured on Channel 8 (Good Morning Singapore) a session on Internet Gaming.
The road shows "PorNo!" and "You Decide" were first launched.
2005
| Training Team Singapore for the World Cyber Games |
In 2005 TOUCH trained Authorized Training Centers, to multiply the number of service providers in the area of Cyber Wellness.
TOUCH trained Team Singapore in physical conditioning and nutrition for the World Cyber Games where the team clinched one silver medal.
Together with the NYC, TOUCH organized the Youth.Net Conference for ASEAN + 3. Resources and expertise were brought together to address concerns about Cyber Wellness, Cyberspace Risks and Internet Gaming.
To help parents and families CRuSH introduced two new programs:
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Mentoring Teens in the Internet Age (MTIA) – The latest trends and issues on the internet are explained and brought to light for parents and educators. Games, blogging, pornography and internet communication are covered.
Bridging Generations Through the Internet (BGTI) – A "hands-on" session where parents and educators are taught the latest and most popular games, and why these games are such an attraction to the youth. In addition they are taught how to blog and use Internet Communication.
I Want, I Can - Adventure counseling methods are employed to help participants change their unhealthy or addictive Internet habits through physical challenges.
2006
In 2006, CRuSH takes on a new dimension with the opening of the Cyber Wellness center. This is a one-stop Cyber Wellness resource center.
TOUCH brought a group of researchers from MOE / NIE / NUS / NTU / MDA through a workshop highlighting the practical aspects of gaming and the aspects that make it so irresistible to youth.
Media coverage expands as TOUCH is featured in Channel News Asia (Get Real!) and Channel U (Front Line).
Program development continued:
| Visitors having a tour of our Cyber Wellness Centre | A "Peak Performance for Cyber Gaming" workshop |
E-Sports Tournament – Family bonding and Cyber Wellness awareness through family gaming competitions.
The Planet CRuSH Experince – Mentoring youths and demonstrating healthy gaming.
Empowering Parents in the Internet Age (EPIA) - Workshops for parents to impart skills and knowledge in handling at-risk youths.
Peak Performance for Cyber Gaming (PPCG) – Workshops to help gamers maximize their potential and develop healthy lifestyle habits.
THE FUTURE
Looking towards the future, CRuSH continues to work towards the vision of TOUCH
"to see Families strengthened and Communities transformed by planting and building institutions of values in and through a network of integrated community services."
Computer and internet related problems are large and growing social need. CRuSH continues to develop and maintain cutting edge programs to meet this need in cities around the world.