Dear Parents/ Guardians.

Recently there has been several worrying instances relating to the use of mobile phones and social networks amongst children. Young people are at a greater risk from internet misuse, and it is the responsibility of Parents/Guardians to ensure that children navigate it safely. 

Being sat behind a screen can lead to a false sense of security and a belief that one is safe. However, this is simply not the case and precautions need to be taken in order to protect children’s safety online. 

It is strongly encouraged that parents follow guidelines and age restrictions for their children’s apps and games. These do not exist to spoil a child’s fun, or to make the parents life harder. They exist to protect the child. Most social networks are 13+. Should you decide to let your children use these networks you must understand the risk involved. Monitoring the child’s activities, paying specific attention to photos, contacts and social media can play a large part in safeguarding against this risk. 

Group chats are of particular concern. With the lack of immediate consequences; bullying, threats of violence, foul language and explicit messaging is commonplace and can be a criminal offence. Behaviour of this nature can spill over into the outside world and have very real consequences. Large group chats and online activity can also put children at risk as groups can be infiltrated by strangers purporting to be “friends”. Online games such as Roblox and Fortnight allow children to converse and establish relationships with strangers-an occurrence that no parent would allow in the real world, but the risk this carries online is just the same. Many online games and services are not moderated and have little to no safeguarding measures in place for children. 

It is the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian to monitor any group chats/online activities and restrict content to protect the child from foul and sometimes predatory online behaviour such as criminal, financial or sexual exploitation. 

A wide range of information is available online for parents and carers regarding the issue of online safety, such as:

Keeping children safe online NSPCC 

Parents and Carers - UK Safer Internet Centre

Keep Children Safe Online: Information, Advice, Support - Internet Matters 

Yours sincerely, 

Newbold Safer Neighbourhood Team