With children and young people’s use of technology ever increasing, the potential for online exploitation is a risk of which we all need to be aware. Although rare, there is a risk that with increased online activity, feelings of stress and isolation may be exploited. An understanding of digital safety will help parents and carers safeguard loved ones from a range of harms, whether that’s child sexual exploitation, fraud, or extremist influences seeking to radicalise vulnerable people. Extremists may also try to promote hateful views, for example through conspiracy theories or through spreading misinformation.
Online exploitation is often hard to recognise because it is a complex issue. When it comes to being drawn into extremist ideas online, sometimes there are clear warning signs, in other cases the changes are less obvious.
Although some of these traits may be quite common among young people, taken together they could be indicators that your child may need some help:
Exploring new and unusual websites, chat forums and platforms. Harmful influences may push individuals towards platforms with a greater degree of anonymity.
Joining new or secret groups.
Speaking with new friends or being secretive about chats during online gaming or in forums.
A strong desire to seek new meaning, identity and purpose.
Using language you wouldn’t expect them to know.
Watching, sharing or creating films online linked to religious, political or racial hate.
Becoming increasingly argumentative or refusing to listen to different points of view.
The above are merely signs that they might need help, but you know your child best and you will want to speak with them first. Check in with them and ask about what they are viewing, who they are speaking to and how they are feeling. This might feel difficult, but these conversations are important.
Here are some pointers to help you keep your child safe online:
Listen carefully to their fears and worries.
Review and adjust privacy and safety settings if you or your child is signing up to a new online service.
You can switch on family friendly filters to help prevent age-inappropriate content being accessed on devices in your home. The UK Safer Internet Centre provides guidance on how to do this: Parental controls offered by your home internet provider - UK Safer Internet Centre
Internet Matters has also provided step by step guides on how to setup parental controls: Parental Controls & Privacy Settings Guides | Internet Matters or download and use our ‘Setting Parental Controls’ document available in the Online Safety for Parents and Carers section of our school website.
If you are worried about your child, please do not hesitate to contact Miss Jackie Matthews (Designated Safeguarding Lead) at school or the Leeds Prevent Team for support.
Leeds Prevent can be contacted at prevent@leeds.gov.uk or by telephone on 0113 535 0810. Alternatively, visit www.leeds.gov.uk/prevent
If you think someone is in immediate danger, ring 999.
Educate Against Hate Parents Hub provides resources and advice: Parents' Resources - Educate Against Hate
Let’s Talk About It provides support to keep children safe from online radicalisation: ACT Early | Prevent radicalisation
Thinkuknow provides resources help keep children safe online: CEOP Education
