Online Safety Concerns

There are concerns parents in Fife are delaying talking to their children about being safe online.

A survey's found mums and dads think their kids should be at least nine years old before they're spoken to about it.

That's despite youngsters as young as eight regularly using the internet.

The NSPCC's now launched a helpline with a mobile phone operator, offering advice on things like privacy settings.

Ronan Dunne, O2 CEO said:  "While the internet is driving economic growth and positively transforming the way we live and work, the simple truth is that, like the ‘offline’ world, the online world comes with risks attached. Risks that need to be acknowledged and faced.  Although progress has been made in ensuring young people receive practical online safety advice, our research and experience also suggests that more needs to be done to help parents, particularly those who don’t feel as confident supporting their children in the fast-changing digital world.

“That’s why today we are launching an ambitious partnership with the NSPCC to give parents free expert personalised advice to build their digital competence to help keep their children safe online. It is our hope that this partnership will help parents and their families to make the most of the wonders of the web, safely.”

NSPCC chief executive, Peter Wanless said: “Sadly we know that children up and down the country are struggling because of difficult experiences online. Thousands of young people contact us about issues such as online grooming, cyber bullying and after viewing sites which encourage eating disorders, self-harm and suicide. We need to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to protect themselves.

“This is a 21st century problem that will not go away and we need a real focus on teaching young people about staying safe on the internet which, is why we are joining forces with O2. Together we want to help parents recognise that for their children there is often no distinction between the online and offline world.  Through our new helpline, workshops and online hub we want to encourage parents to learn more about what they can do to help keep their children safe. We hope that this partnership is just the start and that others will follow suit.”

Baroness Joanna Shields, Minister for Internet Safety and Security, said: "Growing up has never been easy but today the virtual world presents a whole new set of risks which are all too unfamiliar to parents.  The challenge of keeping children safe online requires the full support and cooperation of parents, industry, charities and the government.  We welcome the NSPCC and O2 partnership which brings together experts on the technology our children use with those who understand the way they use it.  

“Government takes safety online seriously and we are standing alongside parents to make sure the internet is safer for children to explore, learn and create fearlessly."