THE dangers faced by children using social networking sites will be highlighted at a Bournemouth safety centre within days.

Just days after teenager Ashleigh Hall was allegedly killed by a predator she met on Facebook, Streetwise has announced the launch of Chatwise, its latest educational tool.

A simulated internet chatroom will sit alongside other scenarios designed to keep young people safe at the award-winning north Bournemouth centre, including a railway line, building site and beach.

Visitors will play a game, designed to teach them just how easy it is to fall prey to those trawling the net for potential victims.

And those unable to get to the centre will be able to play at home or at school.

News of Chatwise comes on the day the mother of 17-year-old Ashleigh, from Darlington, warned other parents about the dangers of meeting people on the web.

Her distraught mum said Ashleigh told her family she was staying with a friend, not telling them she planned to meet up with a person she thought was a 16-year-old boy.

It is now alleged that she unwittingly met a 32-year-old sex offender who killed her and dumped her body.

“To have Ashleigh taken from us in such circumstances in beyond belief and I don’t want other families to suffer what we are going through,” said Ashleigh’s mum, whose name has not been released.

“Tell your kids to be careful on the internet. Don’t meet someone without telling your family where you’re going. Don’t trust anybody and don’t put your kids on Facebook or other sites if they are under age.”

She said Ashleigh, who was training to be a nursery nurse, was “loving, honest, caring and well-liked” and added: “We have learned a terrible lesson – we don’t want any other child to be a victim.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said parents play a vital role in helping their children to understand the dangers of the internet.

He added: “Parents should help their children understand that some people lie online – they should never meet up with any strangers without an adult they trust.

“It should be remembered that small pieces of information can easily be pieced together to form a comprehensive insight into the lives and daily activities of people.”

From next week, young people will be able to play the chatwise game at chatwise.org.uk Alison Shelton of Streetwise urged internet users to follow safety rules at chatdanger.com/smart

• Homeless Peter Chapman appeared in court yesterday charged with Ashleigh’s kidnap and manslaughter. He was remanded in custody.