For many of us, online safety means not clicking on links in emails from someone claiming you’re in line to inherit a fortune from a long-lost aunt, or companies promising a wonder solution to track down pensions you’ve lost track of. They are scams of course and, for the most part, they are easy to identify.
The same cannot be said for the online world that younger people inhabit. Indeed, recent high-profile cases have illustrated both the ease with which children can access harmful content, how damaging that content can be to young minds and the lack of protection for those targeted by bullies and predators online.
The NSPCC is dedicated to protecting children and keeping them safe from harm, both online and offline. That’s why The NSPCC has developed its Child Safety Online Strategy which has already made an impact on protecting children, by lobbying to make it a crime for an adult to send a sexual message to a child.
This groundbreaking strategy includes an Online Safety Hub and the Report Remove tool, both aimed at providing parents, grandparents and young people with the resources and tools they need to navigate the ever-blurring boundaries of the internet
Online Safety Hub: A one-stop-shop for information and advice
The NSPCC Online Safety Hub is designed to make it easy for parents and educators to find the information they need to help keep kids safe online. The Hub is organised by topic, with pages dedicated to social media, online gaming, and parental controls. Here, users will find explanations of the risks associated with different online activities, as well as practical advice and tips on how to minimise these risks.
The Online Safety Hub is an accessible space aimed at providing guidance for all ages on avoiding being coerced into behaviour such as sexting, sharing nudes, live streaming and other forms of harmful content, and how to report abuse. Additionally, the NSPCC has a new Online Safety blog where they feature topical content, such as new apps, online safety campaigns, and new settings and features that parents should be aware of.
Report Remove: Empowering young people to gain control
Childline and the Internet Watch Foundation’s Report Remove tool is another innovative tool that gives young people the power to report and potentially remove harmful images or videos shared online. With just three simple steps, young people can report a potentially harmful image or video and receive updates on the status of their report. The IWF will then review the report and, if it breaks the law, work to have it removed.
Using Report Remove is as simple as 1,2,3:
- Follow the instructions to prove their age (ID may be required).
- Log into or create a Childline account to receive updates on their report.
- Report and remove – the IWF will review and work to have the image or video removed if it breaks the law.
Defending safer futures
Around 80p in every £1, NSPCC spends goes directly to helping children and young people, which is why support given through fundraising and donations, including gifts in Wills, are so important to the charity’s aim of delivering change and improving the lives of vulnerable young people.
Give the most powerful gift
By remembering the NSPCC in your Will, you can give the most powerful gift — a safe and happy childhood. Download the free Gifts in Wills guide to find out more.
*Names have been changed to protect anonymity. Photograph is of a model.
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Tags: NSPCC Last modified: March 15, 2023
