A top cyber detective is urging parents to look closely at their child’s online activity and warns that "stranger danger still applies when you’re online".
The warning comes from Northumbria Police as figures show that children as young as four are streaming inappropriate content on social media platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat.
Det Insp Allen Hull, from the force's Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), said: "As the world and technology develops, it is crucial we work closely with parents and young people to make sure children grow up with the right skills and knowledge to protect themselves in all walks of life – and that includes online. The main point we make is that stranger danger still applies online.
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"Parents wouldn’t let their child talk to a stranger in the park so why do it online. The reality is, it is much easier for predators to engage with young people online through games, social media platforms and chat groups so we would urge parents to take a closer look at their child’s device activity.
"Please check who your children are friends with online, who they follow, who follows them and make sure they know not to accept requests from strangers. You can also make sure they have strong privacy settings in place so strangers can’t see their content or engage with them without permission."
Officers say they encourage parents having a discussion around online predators and the wider dangers as it helps provide a safer online space for young people to enjoy themselves.
They are urging people to make sure children have access to age-appropriate apps and content, and that appropriate parental controls and supervision have been applied.
In addition, children should be told to keep personal information and images private, and be encouraged to block and report people who send offensive messages to any platform. In more serious cases, and where people request to meet offline, these should be reported to the police.
Det Insp Hull added: "We work with partners to help educate children around the dangers, as well as consequences for taking and sharing indecent and explicit images of themselves online, as well as offering safety advice and how to report if you’ve been a victim.
"We find that children will be sent an inappropriate video or photo or find one online and share it amongst friends as a joke or form of bullying. They need to understand the consequences of this and the psychological impact it has on victims as well as their own future prospects."
Recent cases show there is no "typical" victim or offender, detectives say. Both can come from any background and don’t fit any mould or typecast.
There is also no single platform for grooming or abuse. It can happen on social media, gaming platforms, apps and online chat groups. Those looking to abuse young people do their research and will find any method of communication to take advantage of the young and vulnerable in society.
Det Insp Hull said: "If your children see or read anything which makes them feel uncomfortable or if they are being dared to do things, make sure they know to tell an adult straight away. As children get older they will naturally want to explore many of the positive aspects of the internet and social media.
"We would urge parents to have those open discussions to prepare their children for the type of content they could encounter. Remind them that sharing indecent images of someone who is under 18, including themselves, is a sexual offence which could lead to serious consequences.
"Ask them to think carefully about who they interact with and what they share, and how it might affect them in the future. Our officers are not here to judge, we’re here to listen and safeguard any victims so please report it – you could help prevent someone else becoming a victim."
For support and resources, or to report an incident, search Get Safe Online, Internet Matters or National Crime Agency. Or you can make a report using the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on the Northumbria Police website.
