E-Safety
The NCA's CEOP Command works with child protection partners across the UK and overseas to identify the main threats to children and coordinates activity against these threats to bring offenders to account. They have developed the Thinkuknow website which includes targeted information for young people, parents/carers and for those who work with young people. It also provides a place where anyone can report abuse.
Information for young people
For the latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology visit CEOP’s Thinkuknow website.
Key advice:
S |
SAFE: Keep Safe by being careful not to give out personal information - such as your name, email, phone number, home address, or school name - to people who you don't trust online. |
M |
MEETING: Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. Only do so with your parent's or carer's permission and even then only when they can be present. |
A |
ACCEPTING: Accepting emails, IM messages or opening files, pictures, or texts from people you don't know or trust can lead to problems - they may contain viruses or nasty messages. |
R |
RELIABLE: Someone online may be lying about who they are, and information you find on the internet may not be reliable. |
T |
TELL: Tell your parent, carer or a trusted adult if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried. |
Information for Parents
Keeping up-to-date with young people’s use of technology is challenging for many adults. It can be hard to supervise what young people are viewing and creating online, who they are chatting to and texting and what they are downloading. Childnet have produced a guide to help you understand online safety issues and give practical advice as you talk to your children so they can get the most out of the internet and use it positively and safely.
Key advice:
| Understand the Dangers | Inappropriate content, ignoring age restrictions, friending or communicating with people they don't know, grooming, sharing personal information, gambling. |
|---|---|
| Be Open | Start the discussion. Explore sites and apps together. Ask about thing they might see online which make them feel uncomfortable. Talk about how they can stay safe online and reassure them that you won't overreact. |
| ISP | Ask you Internet Service Provider for advice on what they offer to protect young people; they may be able to provide you with parental control software. |
| Report Abuse | You know your child better than anyone. If you feel something isn't right, get in touch with CEOP. |
Seeking help:
- The NSPCC offer a help line available on their Online Safety page, enabling you to seek expert advice.
- The UK Safer Internet Centre provide guidance on the available online safety tools and features for popular social networks.
- The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a UK wide child protection charity, has created a guide for parents and carers of children who have got in trouble online, either through inappropriate or illegal behaviour. The guide includes practical information for parents, with useful links, a jargon buster and guidance for a family safety plan if things have gone wrong.
