We have been asked by West Dunbartonshire’s Child Protection Committee to share this message about your safety when on line during this time of lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The reason for this message is that Police Scotland have raised concerns about online child abuse crimes and an increase in the number of people seeking help to stop online child sexual abuse during lockdown.
As you spend more time online the risk increases of being targeted by online groomers, criminal offenders or even people you may know who want to harm, abuse or exploit you. Having awareness of the risks, being alert and knowing how to seek support will help you stay safe online.
People causing harm on or offline will often make all sorts of threats to stop people reporting them. There are laws in place to protect children and young peoplefrom online grooming and sexual exploitation, it’s never your fault. Even if you feel you have done something that might get you in trouble e.g. having sexual conversations or sharing a naked image.
Police have a duty to help and protect you and your family. So if you are being targeted or harmed they will do what needs to be done to keep you safe straight away.
Telling someone you need help isn’t always easy – especially if you feel you have lost control of a situation. You can access helpful advise from Childline about how to talk about and share if you have any worries, questions or concerns. (https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/getting-help/asking-adult-help/)
You can report online crime to Police Scotland:
You can also report a crime anonymously online with Crimestoppers
Some links below for further information, help and support:
Childline: Free and confidential help for young people in the UK including advice, support and help for cyber bullying, grooming, abuse and safety online. You can speak to a Childline counsellor on 0800 1111 – usually 24/7 but currently due to the coronavirus outbreak, they are operating from 9am – midnight.
Zipit App: Allows you to take back control of a chat or conversation. This app provides clever GiFs and images for the user to share when put on the spot by someone requesting sexual images or videos. https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/sexting/zipit-app/
CEOP.police.uk Website: Here you can make a report about the online behaviour of a person that is worrying you or get advice on how to keep yourself safe online.
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF): If you’re under 18 and someone posts an explicit or nude image online you can make a report here. They can contact the website to try and remove it without getting anyone involved.
Thinkuknow is the education programme of NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. The website provides resources and activities for parents, carers, children and young people.
BBC Own It App is part of the BBC’s commitment to supporting young people in today’s changing digital environment. It provides a helping hand to children when they receive their first smartphone supporting their digital wellbeing. Full of information about friendship and bullying, safety and self-esteem, vlogging and gaming and serves relevant content, information and interventions designed to help your child understand the impact that their online behaviours can have on themselves, and on others – all in a child-friendly format with videos and guest appearances from pop stars and YouTubers.
Barnado’s Wud U? App available for all smartphone platforms which uses illustrated, interactive stories to help keep safe you safe from sexual exploitation,
Childline: Free and confidential help for young people in the UK including advice, support and help for cyber bullying, grooming, abuse and safety online. You can speak to a Childline counsellor on 0800 1111 – usually 24/7 but currently due to the coronavirus outbreak, they are operating from 9am – midnight. www.childline.org.uk
West Dunbartonshire Protection Committee Website: Information about what to do if you’re worried about yourself or others being harmed http://www.wdhscp.org.uk/public-protection/child-protection
