DOES your child know how to keep themselves safe online?
The NSPCC in Northern Ireland is encouraging parents to learn about the dangers posed to children online.
Margaret Gallagher, Local Campaigns Manager in Northern Ireland, said although the internet can be a great tool and a distraction during the summer holidays it is not without risks.
“With the reduction of the use of desktop computers and the use of portable devices like tablets and smart phones growing steadily, parents may not know what their children are exposed to, because they can be in their bedrooms or out of the home.”
The minimum age for having a social media profile on most sites is 13 yet NSPCC research has shown that 92% of children and young people have accessed social media sites before this age, leaving them vulnerable to inappropriate content and, in extreme cases, abuse.
PSNI statistics show that over the last year in Northern Ireland there has been a 28% increase in cyber related sex crimes.
NSPCC tips on starting a conversation with your child about online safety:
- Have the conversation early and often
- Explore sites and apps together
- Know who your child is talking to online - children often don’t see people as strangers, but as online friends. Make sure you know who they are friends with online, and explain that it’s easy for people to lie about themselves
- Set some boundaries - including when and where they can go online, what websites they can visit and how they share images
- Make sure the content is age appropriate
- Use parental controls
- Check they know how to use privacy settings and reporting tools - check the privacy settings on accounts like Facebook, and remind children to keep any personal information safe and what to do if they see anything that upsets them
Parents can sign up to the free O2 Guru Service, where they can access online safety advice. This service is free and available to people on any network or phone.
Parents can also call the dedicated NSPCC online safety Helpline on 0808 800 5002.