Harm Outside the Home

Understanding online risks

For children and young people, the online world is just as real as the offline one. Technology changes quickly, and it can be hard for parents and carers to keep up. But there are steps you can take to help keep your child safe online.

Talk to your child

Start by having regular conversations about their online activity:

  • what they do online
  • what they share
  • who they talk to
  • how they know their online friends
  • what to do if something makes them feel uncomfortable

Download and use the same social media apps as your child. Add them as a friend and take an interest in who they connect with. Not all online friendships are unsafe, but staying informed helps you support your child.

Let your child know they can always come to you. Keep communication open and reassure them that you won’t be angry if they share something worrying.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones are often used by offenders to groom children. If you're concerned about your child’s phone use, consider setting boundaries:

  • remove the phone at bedtime
  • keep the battery or SIM card overnight
  • lock the phone in a box your child keeps, while you hold the key

At a higher level of risk, consider shutting off the internet at a certain time each night via your service provider or restricting your child’s mobile from being able to send photos in messages.

Social media

Social media is a key part of how children communicate. Apps like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook are popular, but they can also be misused.

Snapchat allows users to send temporary images, but these can still be saved through screenshots. Although exploitation can take place on any platform, Snapchat in particular has been used by criminal gangs to sell drugs and for distribution due to the temporary feature.

Most social media platforms have privacy settings. Help your child:

  • control who can search for them
  • limit who sees what they share - it's a good idea to restrict accounts for young people to friends only
  • restrict who can post about them

Keep a list of your child’s usernames and passwords. This can help police if your child goes missing or if an investigation is needed.

Other online risks

Live streaming

Live streaming lets users broadcast video in real time. Children may feel pressure to post often to gain followers. This can lead to risky behaviour or copying others.

Location tracking

Offenders may use apps like Find My iPhone to track children. You can change the location settings within settings on the child’s phone to block apps like Find my iPhone from functioning.

Sexting

Sexting is when someone sends sexually explicit photos or messages. Children may be pressured or groomed into sharing images. Once shared, they may be blackmailed or feel ashamed.

If this happens:

  • reassure your child that things will be okay
  • let them know they are not to blame

Retrieving or removing the image might not be possible, but there are ways to report indecent images.

Reporting online abuse

If you need to report online abuse, use these trusted services: