Today, we’re proud to stand with the global community in celebrating Safer Internet Day! At LogicBarn, we understand the importance of promoting online safety and fostering a positive digital environment for all. Here are some tips to ensure you’re navigating the internet safely:
1️⃣ Strengthen your passwords: Use unique, complex passwords for each online account, and consider using a password manager to keep them secure.
2️⃣ Think before you click: Be cautious of suspicious links, emails, and messages, as they could lead to phishing scams or malware.
3️⃣ Keep your software up to date: Regularly update your devices, apps, and operating systems to patch security vulnerabilities and stay protected against cyber threats.
4️⃣ Use privacy settings: Review and adjust the privacy settings on your social media accounts and other online platforms to control who can see your information.
5️⃣ Educate yourself: Stay informed about the latest online safety practices and teach others, especially children and young people, about the importance of being safe online.
In support of Safer Internet Day, we’re honored to collaborate with Safe and Sound, a charity dedicated to transforming the lives of children and young people affected by child exploitation in Derbyshire. They’ve shared valuable resources with us to help spread awareness and empower our community to stay safe online. Together, let’s work towards creating a safer and more secure internet for everyone! Read their document below.
18.1.24
Safe and Sound Supports Safer Internet Awareness
Derbyshire’s specialist child exploitation charity Safe and Sound has joined thousands of organisations across Europe to highlight the potential dangers of the internet – particularly for children and young people.
Safer Internet Day (Tuesday 6 February 2024) aims to encourage everyone to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively and this year the focus is on the importance of age-appropriate digital services, with every child protected, empowered and respected online.
Safe and Sound is a highly-regarded local charity which specialises in protecting and supporting young people and their families across Derbyshire whose lives are affected by child exploitation including online grooming, sexual exploitation, County Lines, trafficking, modern slavery and radicalisation.
It is supporting Safer Internet Day due to the growing prevalence of criminals using the internet to groom children and young people for their own purposes.
Safe and Sound CEO Tracy Harrison explained: “The latest national statistics show that there has been an 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children in the past six years since sexual communication with a child was officially recognised as a criminal offence.”
“In the East Midlands alone, there have been more than 2,600 online grooming crimes have been recorded by police during that time, which means that literally hundreds of children and young people in Derbyshire have been targeted by predators.”
“Last year, Safe and Sound supported a record 343 children and young people who had been victims of or at risk of child exploitation and, in the vast majority of cases, the grooming and abuse started online.”
Mrs Harrison continued that online grooming could involve young people being blackmailed into sharing indecent photographs of themselves; have been sent horrific images and pornography and, in some cases, have been coerced into meeting up with the perpetrators and subjected to life-changing emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
“These figures are likely to be only the tip of the iceberg with many more young people too afraid or ashamed to ask for help – petrified that their abuser will mete out the retribution they have threatened or fearful that they will not be believed and somehow be blamed for what has happened.”
“Furthermore, most people think that online grooming takes place on traditional social media channels, but researchers have identified 150 different apps, games and websites being used to target children.”
“Online grooming has therefore had a devastating effect on the lives of too many young people and their wider families, and we need to do all we can to protect them.”
“Organisations such as ourselves who are committed to protecting and supporting children and young people who are at risk or are victims of child exploitation and I welcome the annual Safer Internet Day which highlights the need for the robust action to keep young people safe online.”
“I particularly appeal to families to far more vigilant about the dangers online for young people. Please set the highest possible privacy settings on their social media, gaming and search engine apps and channels.”
“Most of us would question a young person as they leave the home about where they are going and who they are meeting. It’s the same for online activity, so please have open and honest discussions about who they are talking to online and that not everybody is who they seem.”
For more advice and information, please visit www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk Media enquiries: Sarah Jenkin-Jones, JJPR, Tel: 01332 515102/07951 945665; sarah@jjpublicrelations.co.uk
#SaferInternetDay #OnlineSafety #TechForGood #SafeAndSound
