Keeping Safe Online

West Dunbartonshire Child Protection Committee is asking parents, carers and members of the public to be ever vigilant about children’s safety online.

This message comes on the back of increased concerns from Police Scotland about online child abuse crimes and an increase in the number of people accessing self-help resources to stop online child sexual abuse during lockdown.

During the current period of restrictions on social movement, Police Scotland recognise that inevitably children and young people are spending far more time on online and in particular on social media apps.  There is also an increase in the chances they will see something which isn't intended for them, be targeted by cyberbullies or online criminal offenders.  Families and communities having awareness of the risks and helping prepare children and young people to have vigilance can be the first and necessary step in staying safe online.

Below is some advice for spotting the danger signs of harmful online behaviour and where to get information, help and advice.

If you or someone else you know has already been exposed to harm over the internet, the information below will point you in the direction of where to get help and advice about what to do next.

You can report online crime to Police Scotland:

• by telephone 999 (emergency) 101 (non-emergency)
• in person at any police station

You can also report a crime anonymously online with Crimestoppers

If you're unsure whether someone's behaviour online is a crime or not, you can still call 101.  This is a non-emergency police line that can offer advice on what you can report as a crime.  You can also visit the Youth Hub on Police Scotland website for advice 

Links to Information, Help and Advice

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.

Crimestoppers: Call 0800 555 111 to anonymously report any concerns. 

Get Safe Online Gives free expert advice about every aspect of staying safe online including a section on safeguarding children.  Helps to understand all aspects of protecting yourself, your children and your computer during your online activities such as social networking, shopping, banking, gaming etc. 

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.

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.. www.bbc.com/ownit

Barnado’s Wud U? App available for all smartphone platforms which uses illustrated, interactive stories to young people keep safe from sexual exploitation,

NSPCC: – Tel 0808 800 5000 – website:  NSPCC.org.uk.  Support and tips to help you keep children safe.  From advice on children’s mental health to staying safe online, support for parents and what to do if you’re worried about a child.

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. 

GOV.UK also has guidance to help keep children safe from different risks online during covid-19 and to show where you can receive support and advice.  

Guidance for Parents

The most important guidance in relation to keeping your children and young people safe online is:

• Link in with internet providers to see what parental controls can be put in place to limit access to inappropriate adult websites and subject matter.
• Keep an open dialogue with your child about what sites and apps they are accessing, who they are talking to and be vigilant to changes in their behaviour or language.
• Whilst your child will have learnt in school about keeping safe online, this alone is not enough. Having conversations with your child/ren, being vigilant and monitoring about what they are doing and who they are chatting is critical.  Keep yourself up to date by checking out the guidance on the sites highlighted and talk to them about the potential dangers of the internet and how they can stay safe.
• Talk to other parents to keep up to date. Share ideas and information about the apps and websites your children use, and share any safety concerns you have.
• It is not always easy to spot the signs of online grooming and sexual exploitation so if you have any concern at all about someone your child is in contact with, you should report it.
• If you believe your child has been targeted or exposed to online abuse contact the police.  Try to capture screenshots, user names or emails and do not engage in further online conversations.
• Be supportive and don’t blame yourself or your child.

Please refer to the websites and contacts above which help parents understand and manage the risks.  They also have lots of age specific videos and advice to show your children about staying safe online.

Concerned about your own thoughts or online behaviours

If you have any concerns about your own thoughts or actions towards children or young people we strongly urge you refer to Police Scotland’s online child sexual abuse campaign #GetHelpOrGetCaught ( link to https://www.scotland.police.uk/whats-happening/campaigns/2020/child-sexual-abuse/get-help-or-get-caught ) and to get in contact with Stop it Now! Scotland for anonymous advice, support and help Stop It Now! Scotland  (link to https://www.stopitnow.org.uk/stop-it-now-scotland/ )

The #GetHelpOrGetCaught campaign is targeted at those who feel they might be at risk of committing an offence and perpetrators who use social media, chatrooms and messaging apps to target children online to groom them for sexual purposes.  Police Scotland message is clear:

• Targeting young people online for any sexually motivated purpose is wrong and you will get caught.
• You are putting yourself at risk of public exposure, losing your family, your home, employment and liberty.
• In Scotland, any person under the age of 16 (or those under 17 in special legislative circumstances) is classified as a child. Sexual conversations with children or young people are classed as Child Sexual Abuse and perpetrators will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register if charged.
• There is confidential and anonymous help available from Stop It Now! Scotland.