Online safety

The internet, mobile technologies and social media all provide children and young people with vast opportunities for learning, communication and support.

However, increasing reliance on online technologies also makes children and young people potentially vulnerable to people seeking to exploit technology for malicious purposes.

Risks associated with the digital technology include:

• Exposure to obscene, violent or distressing material
• Bullying, coercion, or intimidation through email, messaging and social media (“cyber-bullying”)
• Sharing personal images without permission
• Identity theft and abuse of personal information
• Exposure to material concerning harm to health such as eating disorders, self-harm or suicidal ideation
• Sexual exploitation by online predators (including grooming and sexting)

Indecent images of children

The UK Home Office has updated the supporter pack which accompanies its Steering clear campaign. 

This campaign aims to educate and empower young men aged 18-24 to navigate the internet more responsibly by increasing their understanding of: how to report sexual images of children; the law relating to indecent images of children (IIOC); and the harm caused to victims of indecent images of children. 

The campaign was developed in partnership with the NSPCC, Marie Collins Foundation and the Internet Watch Foundation.