Source: United Kingdom Thames Valley Police
Headline: Launch of second phase of #ProtectYourWorld campaign
The campaign began in November last year, with the first phase focussed on raising awareness of cyber crime and encouraging residents and businesses to take action to protect their online worlds.
The second phase is being launched today (5/2), and in partnership with the NSPCC will focus on encouraging parents, carers and anyone who has contact with young people, to engage with them about their online activity.
It will coincide with Safer Internet Day 2018, which will be celebrated globally on Tuesday (6/2) with the slogan ‘Create, Connect and Share Respect: a better internet starts with you.’
To mark Safer Internet Day Thames Valley Police and the NSPCC are hosting online safety workshops for parents working at local businesses and experts will discuss online safety with a Facebook Live event.
According to Ofcom statistics, 13 per cent of children aged between 12 and 15 with a social media profile agree that getting likes or followers is more important to them than keeping their posts, comments or photos private.
A total of 23 per cent said that they do not know how to control who can see what they see on social media and 12 per cent say that they have been bullied on social media, equal to the number who say they have been bullied face to face.
The campaign aims to ensure that those who are responsible for young people are aware of their activity online and are able to ensure that they are staying safe.
Detective Sergeant Sally Russell, of the Thames Valley Police Cyber Crime Team, said: “Our campaign is aimed at encouraging parents to have regular conversations with their children about their online activity, as well as to take some simple steps to help improve their knowledge.
“For example, we want to encourage parents to better understand the social media platforms their child is using by signposting them to the NSPCC Net Aware website, which tells them the content, age restrictions and perceived risk levels of over 30 platforms.
“With young people spending so much of their social time online, it’s crucial that they know how to keep themselves safe.
“It’s also vital that parents have enough knowledge to help them do so.”
On Tuesday (6/2) at 6.30pm DS Sally Russell and Emma Motherwell of the NSPCC, will be taking part in a Facebook Live event in which they will answer questions and give useful tips to help parents keep their children safe online.
The discussion will be broadcast on Thames Valley Police’s Facebook page.
NSPCC Campaign Manager Emma Motherwell said: “Our business workshops aim to equip parents with the tools to help their children stay safe online with simple tips and signposting.
“But if you can’t make a workshop join our Facebook Live chat and ask us about privacy, parental controls and what more you can be doing to ensure your children are enjoying the internet safely.”
The hour long workshops will give parents the skills and knowledge to understand more about internet safety and businesses signed up include Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust and HUBER+SUHNER(UK)Limited.
To find out more, or to book a session, email emma.motherwell@nspcc.org.uk.