Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership

The internet has revolutionised how we communicate and socialise with people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  With access at our fingertips, it can be even more challenging to keep children and young people safe online, especially when they have their own computers, smartphones, tablets and games consoles.

As a parent, carer or a professional, it is important to educate yourself, children, and young people that, as well as the endless opportunities available through the internet and technology, there are also associated risks to be aware of.

Potential online risks can include:

• Access and exposure to inappropriate/disturbing images and content
• Access and exposure to racist or hate material
• Sexual grooming, luring, abuse and exploitation by/with strangers
• Sharing personal information with strangers that could identify and locate a child offline
• Online bullying (cyber bullying) by peers and people they consider their ‘friends’
• Being encouraged take part in violent behaviour
• Sending or receiving sexually explicit films, images or messages of themselves or others (known as ‘sexting’ when sent by mobile phone)
• Glorifying activities such as drug taking or excessive drinking
• Physical harm to young people in making video content, such as enacting and imitating stunts and risk-taking activities
• Leaving and running away from home because of contacts made online

Further information and practice guidance for professionals in the West Midlands is available in the regional child protection procedures.