Online Safety Faq For Children

FAQS FOR CHILDREN

WHAT IS ONLINE GROOMING?

Online grooming is when a person over the age of 18 contacts a child under 16 to form a trusting relationship, with the intention of later engaging in a sexual act either via mobile telephone, webcam or in person.

The relationship starts online and is often continued in person. In some cases the relationship is purely online. Online groomers are known to spend weeks, months and even years communicating with a child to form a trusted relationship.

WHO ARE ONLINE GROOMERS AND HOW DO THEY GET MY ATTENTION?

Online groomers can be both men and women of any age over 18, although they may not always be honest about their age. They generally get your attention by using flattery and building a ‘trusting’ relationship with you. At times you maybe unaware of the type of information you are giving them, but you do it because you feel comfortable talking to them.

WHAT IS THE RISK OF SENDING IMAGES OF MYSELF?

If you decide to send pictures of yourself or post them online, you can attract unwanted attention from people you don’t know or people you do not want to be talking to. You can lose control of your image and not know who is looking at your picture or where it may end up.

If you are under the age of 18 and have a picture taken of yourself, wearing minimal or no clothing, it can be referred to as child pornography.

WHAT IF SOMEONE ASKS ME TO DO SOMETHING I DON’T WANT TO?

It is important that you tell someone what has happened if you are made to feel uncomfortable online. The first thing you should do is tell an adult that you trust. They will be able to help you.

You can also use the Report Abuse button, which will send an online form to the police. If you feel like you are in immediate danger, contact your local police straight away.

Blocking or deleting the person from your contact list is another good thing to do, but make sure your parents or a trusted adult is aware of what has happened too.

WHAT IS “SEXTING”?

Sexting is a term used to describe the sexually explicit text messages or images sent via a mobile telephone or the internet to anybody.

Law enforcement calls this type of behaviour the production, distribution and possession of child pornography through the use of a carriage service (mobile technologies and the internet).

You could face serious penalties if you decide to send this type of image or message. You should never feel pressured into saying or doing anything like this. If someone really loves or cares about you they will never ask you to do this.

Think about how this image or message can effect you, your family and your friends if it was to be widely distributed. This type of behaviour can effect you both short and long term.

 

WHAT IS “SEXTORTION”?

(Other terms such as ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION for this crime type may be used in different countries.)

A scheme to sexually extort a minor online is likely to involve a number of basic elements, such as: 

• Contact between the suspect and the minor, usually via the Internet or mobile messenger applications;
• The creation of images depicting the minor engaging in sexual activity, recorded by the minor or by the offender via webcam or smartphone cameras;
• The distribution of those images;
• Attempts by the offender to convince the minor to create more images;
• Using images to force and/or facilitate offline contact;
• Threats by the offender to post existing images of the minor on the Internet or to disclose them to friends or family unless the minor creates more images or does something else for the offender; and
• Threatening a child in to self-harming, including sexual self-harming or even suicide.

HOW PERSONAL IS PERSONAL?

Personal information should not be placed online. Just because there is a box for you to add something doesn’t mean you have to. Try to avoid placing too much information on the internet such as your current city and date of birth. This information along with pictures makes it easier for unwanted people to identify and possibly locate you.

WHAT IF I SEE SOMETHING I DIDN’T MEAN TO LOOK AT?

If you see something online you believe could be child sexual exploitation material, you should tell a trusted adult straight away and report it to police. Even if you are unsure of what you are looking at it is best to talk to someone who can help.