Social media watchdog could protect our kids

AS children across Northern Ireland settle back into a new school year this week, many of us will have fond memories of our own schooldays, of playground friendships and games, as well as, perhaps, some less fond ones of busy timetables and handwriting exercises.

Today’s children have all that to enjoy, but their world is now bigger, having grown to include the online world and the 24/7 connectivity that brings.

There are huge positives to having the world at your fingertips, but these opportunities also come with risks.

NSPCC research shows that the equivalent of one child in every primary school classroom surveyed has been sent a naked, or semi-naked, image from an adult, and one in 50 had sent a nude, or semi-nude, image to an adult.

The Home Office has estimated that 80,000 people in the UK now pose a sexual risk to children online, demonstrating the scale of potential grooming in today’s online world. That is appalling and something no child should have to experience.

But this isn’t inevitable. Those images and messages are sent through social networks and texting apps, which recklessly expose children to content and behaviours completely inappropriate for their age.

The NSPCC is, therefore, calling on the UK Government to create an independent regulator, with the power to investigate and to fine social networks which fall short. Sites must be required to take proactive steps to detect grooming, so that abuse can be disrupted before it escalates.

Here in Northern Ireland, there is an urgent need for political parties to work together in an Executive to oversee an e-strategy to protect children.

It is very disappointing that this has been stalled because of the ongoing problems at Stormont.

COLIN REID

Policy and public affairs manager

NSPCC (NI)