Further advice - online abuse

Young people are being contacted in their own homes on online platforms and apps and asked for sexual pictures and videos, while their parents and carers believe they are safe.

More and more sexual abuse material is created by offenders who coerce and groom children into sexual activities, often in children’s own bedrooms and bathrooms. They then record this via webcams or livestreaming services. It’s known as ‘self -generated’ child sexual abuse imagery. This is happening now, and it can happen to anyone. But you can do something about it; you can help prevent it happening to your child. If you’re asking yourself what and how, this guidance will help you

 

The guidance from the Internet Watch Foundation has three parts: 

Part One Helps you understand more about online child sexual abuse: what it is, who does it, and how it happens. It also tells you more about the ways children use social media, to explain why simply ‘banning’ it doesn’t work.

Part Two Answers the question: ‘What can I do?’ and gives you clear, practical advice to help keep your children safe.

Part Three Tells you what to do if you suspect or know that a child is being sexually abused online, and lists specialist organisations that can also help.