Family online activity concerns
You have probably been given a leaflet due to police contact regarding the online activity of your child or a child you care for. This may be because they are suspected of accessing illegal material online, have shared indecent images / videos of themselves or may be being targeted or groomed by others online. All of these situations may apply at once to the same child.
Children who have accessed illegal material or posted material of themselves online
It is common for children to access sexual material online of children their own age due to them taking risks and pushing boundaries as they become more sexually and socially aware. This often also includes sharing indecent images / videos of themselves online with similarly aged partners.
Although both of these situations are criminal offences, it is unlikely to lead to any formal action being taken. However these actions can lead to further damaging events. Often the control of self-generated images are ‘lost’ and can be obtained by other others who post them on social media, or obtained by strangers online who will share them with sex offenders and can blackmail the child into sending more (known as ‘sextortion’). Often children will speak to strangers online and share images thinking they are speaking to another child, but they are not.
It is important for children to be aware of the implications of their actions which may mean they are committing offences and putting themselves and others at risk. Often they will not be comfortable reporting issues themselves, but the police should also provide a support leaflet to them.
The below support agencies and sources of advice should be able to assist with supporting yourself, your family and the child in question as well as offering advice and education regarding how to prevent further concerns including taking steps to monitor and control what they can access.
Thinkuknow is the education programme ran by the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protecting Centre (CEOP) and offers an extensive array of advice and support resources for children and families regarding online use as well as reporting any abuse to the Child Exploitation and Online Protecting Centre (CEOP). www.thinkuknow.co.uk
The NSPCC offers specific advice regarding keeping children safe online and have safeguarding experts available for support. Call on 0808 800 5000, e-mail [email protected] or visit Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
Childnet gives helpful information and guidance on a range of key online safety topics www.childnet.com
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) identify and remove global online child sexual abuse imagery. If a child is aware that images of themselves are online, this can be reported to the IWF in conjunction with Childline to remove this material. www.iwf.org.uk/report
The UK Safer Internet Centre helps children and young people stay safe online with guidance and advice for children and families including reporting online concerns www.saferinternet.org.uk
Get Safe Online offers guidance and advice regarding use of the internet generally, including safeguarding children www.getsafeonline.org
Internet Matters helps parents keep their children safe online with tips and advice including social media privacy guides, controlling use of gaming / consoles and adding parental controls to internet providers / broadband www.internetmatters.org
Internetslang.com assists with interpreting online slang words and abbreviations www.internetslang.com
Parental control of devices
Many apps are available to assist with monitoring your child’s online use. Two of these are;
Google Family link Family Link from Google - Family Safety & Parental Control Tools (families.google)
MMGuardian Parental Control App | Manage and Monitor Phone Usage | MMGuardian which are available on IOS and android to assist with many aspects regarding managing and monitoring your child’s internet use
More serious offending
As above, often children will access illegal material online of children their own age due to their development and curiosity. However if this behaviour is persistent, if it includes accessing material of children not of a similar age, or if the child is putting pressure on other children to provide material, then more serious intervention is likely to be required. Their siblings and other children they have contact with could be at risk.
The following agencies can assist with intervention into this offending;
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is the only UK-wide child protection charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse. They offer the Stop it Now Telephone helpline and live chat facility which are anonymous and confidential services available to anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse, including those worried about their own sexual thoughts or behaviour towards children.
For young people, they also offer advice through ‘Parents Protect’ and offer the Inform Young People Programme which is an educational programme for young people in trouble with the police, their school or college for inappropriate use of technology and the internet.
Call 0808 1000 900 or visit www.lucyfaithfull.org.uk
StopSO stands for the Specialist Treatment Organisation for Perpetrators and Survivors of Sexual Offending. They can work with and offer therapy to children who are showing worrying behaviour, and also support their families.E-mail [email protected] or visit www.stopso.org.uk
Circles South East provides support and bespoke programmes for those who are suspected of committing sexual offences including children, as well as supporting their families.
Call 01235 816050 or visit www.circlessoutheast.org.uk
The Youth Offending Team (YOT) for your area can take referrals from the public regarding a child’s concerning sexual behaviour and their Youth Crime Prevention Service will work with that child to assess what intervention is required and how they can prevent further offending.
Visit Youth Offending Team (YOT) contacts | Children and Families | Hampshire County Council (hants.gov.uk) for your local area and the relevant contact details
Safer Lives offer specialist support for people being investigated for online and other sexual offences particularly those who are feeling scared, ashamed or alone including a confidential and informal chat as well as a ‘Transitions Programme’ for those aged 16 to 21 to offer emotional support and guidance.
Call 0800 0435987, Whatsapp 07476 683012 or e-mail [email protected]
Or visit www.saferlives.com
Children who have been or may be victims of online abuse
The police may have contacted you due to your child being a victim of an online offence, or perhaps you suspect they may have been a victim or targeted / groomed due to other online activity as mentioned above. In addition to the services listed above which offer guidance and prevention of children becoming victims, the following are mainly local services to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and specifically help victims or those who have been targeted or abuse online.
Yellow Door offer residents of Hampshire a wide range of specialist therapeutic, support & prevention services to anyone at risk from or affected by abuse including online abuse. Visit www.yellowdoor.org.uk
The Frankie Service is provided by different agencies in Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight and the rest of Hampshire, and provide Frankie Workers for therapeutic counselling to children and young people who are victims of sexual abuse or exploitation. The Willow Team also sits with the Hampshire Frankie Service as part of Children’s Services for further support.
Visit The Frankie Service (Therapeutic Counselling To Children) (nolimitshelp.org.uk)
Acts Fast provides support for parents or carers of children who have suffered child sexual abuse or exploitation.
E-mail [email protected] or phone 01202 797217 or visit www.actsfast.org.uk
Victim support helps anyone for is affected by crime, whether a crime has been reported to the police or not. This includes supporting children and young people and also supporting their parents.
Call 0808 1689111 or visit www.victimsupport.org.uk
If you would like anymore advice or guidance, please speak to the investigating officers