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    Children and young people in the online world

    The internet plays a vital role in all aspects of children's and young people's lives. Children can and do get into trouble online. 

    As a protective adult it is important that you are aware of the way in which children use the Internet, to prevent abuse from happening. 

Children and young people in the online world

Theis NSPCC video is a light hearted but important take on the dangers children and young people face online. 

 

Children are exposed to modern technologies from a young age. As your child gets older, it will become increasingly necessary to help them navigate the online world in a safe way.

Children and young people can and do, get into trouble online. Examples of this may include

 - sending and sharing naked images,

 - accessing chat-rooms and engaging in sexualised conversation with other children,

 - accessing illegal/inappropriate sexual material online.

Similarly, children can and do fall victim to harm online. Including online bullying, pressures to send naked images, being groomed/persuaded to engage in sexual chat, or groomed/persuaded to engage in sexual behaviour.

Children and young people will typically wish to become involved in online activities such as gaming, social media, accessing information, entertainment and communication with peers. All of these activities can be helpful in terms of your child’s development: the internet is a wonderful place to learn about the world and to build relationships. However, as it is not without risks it is vital that keeping safe online forms part of the regular conversations we have with children and young people.

Learning to use the internet is like learning to cycle or swim – children need the support of adults to learn to do this safely before they can become more independent and no longer need adult supervision

In addition, accessing specialist resources and putting in place appropriate safeguarding measures may be important.  

Sexting / Nude Selfies

“Sexting” describes the use of technology to share personal sexual images or videos.

It’s a mix of the words “sex” and “texting”. It is also referred to as ‘youth produced sexual imagery’.

 It is called this because:

• ‘Youth produced’ includes young people sharing images that they, or another young person, have created of themselves

• ‘Sexual’ because the material is of a sexual nature

• ‘Imagery’ covers both still photos and moving videos

This behaviour involves:

• Someone under the age of 18 creating & sharing sexual imagery of themselves with a peer under the age of 18

• Someone under the age of 18 sharing sexual imagery created by another person under the age of 18 with a peer under the age of 18 or an adult

• Someone under the age of 18 in possession of sexual imagery created by another person under the age of 18

For example, this could be a picture of a boy or young man exposing himself or a girl or young woman in a state of undress; for example, in her underwear.

This sexually explicit material can be sent in a number of ways; via text message, email, through online messaging or chat facilities, or through social networking sites.

Online pornography

Accessing online sexual material - pornography has become a fairly normalised behaviour for teenagers. This is not exclusive to boys, girls can and do access online sexual material also.

Accessing pornography can often be seen by young people as a healthy way of young people addressing their curiosities about sex, of accessing imagery to masturbate to, or exploring their sexual thoughts and feelings.

Pornography can give out unhelpful and unhealthy messages about sex and relationships.

Typically porn portrays unrealistic sex in which males get what they want (sex) by abusing their power and dominating females. There is very little in the way of positive messages about balanced gender roles or the development of healthy relationships.

We also know that use of online sexual material can be very exciting and young people can find themselves increasingly compelled/hooked on accessing it. In addition, many young people are naive to the legalities of their online sexual behaviour, the consequences of getting into trouble online, or the potential dangers for them from others online.

I.E - Looking at, or sharing of or creating images of is illegal if the material involves people under the age of 18 - making,distributing and possessing indecent images of children is a criminal offence. This is the case even if the people involved are under 18 themselves

Online pornography - things to consider

There are risks and dangers associated with online sexual material.

Whilst accessing pornography can be seen as natural curiosity and part of normal development - There are risks and dangers associated with viewing sexual material online.  

 - What kind of porn might my child be looking at?
 - How do I know that what they are viewing is legal/appropriate?
 - How much porn are they accessing?
 - How much use of porn is ok?
 - What age did my child start looking at porn?
 - Is what they are looking at age appropriate?
 - Are they just viewing or are they fantasising/masturbating to porn?
 - What are they learning from porn about sex?
 - What are they learning from porn about what is ok in relationships?
 - What are they learning from porn about the roles of men and women?
 - Are they developing unhealthy sexual attitudes?
 - Are they becoming hooked/addicted to looking at porn?
 - Do they use porn to make them feel good/better/powerful/in control?
 - Can they control how much they access?
 - Do they feel safe online?
 - Are they accessing material that makes them feel uncomfortable?
 - By accessing porn sites are they at risk form sexual predators?
 - And they pressured by others to access sexual material, take/share naked images or engage in sexual behaviour online?

Are they at risk themselves?

 - Could their online sexual behaviour lead to them being harmed?
 - Could their online sexual behaviour lead to them being arrested/get into trouble?
 - Could their online behaviour be harming them or leading them to harm others? 

It is important to talk to children and young people and guide them with online safety.

Whats the Problem? Booklet

What's the problem?

 The Stop It Now! resource ‘What’s the Problem’ contains advice for parents on responding to issues around on-line risks.

We also have an Easy Read version of the above booklet - A guide for parents of children and young people who have got into trouble online.

Easy Read - Whate the problem?

Digital Safety Plan template 

Digital Safety Plan If you want your child to avoid risky online sexual behaviour and use the internet safely, a digital safety plan can help. Your child needs to feel that it is theirs, but you should develop it together

Did you know?

23% of 10-17 year olds experience unwanted exposure to pornography

Source - Jones, L,. Mitchell, K., Finkelhor, D. (2012)
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