Getting net aware to protect children

A new UK-wide study conducted by Chrysalis Research surveyed 4,730 parents of 8-13 year olds and 4,048 of their children between October-December 2019. It revealed that being cyber-bullied is children’s greatest fear when they go online.

Children and young people are becoming increasingly aware of the risks they face when going online. The NSPCC would encourage parents and carers to have conversations with their child about their online life- just as you would about their day at school or other aspects of their life. It can be daunting to know where to start but O2 and the NSPCC also offer a range of free online resources like Net Aware, a website which explains the social networks, apps or games that children are using most frequently.

The partnership have developed a booklet offering parents the latest practical and simple tips on the risks children might face when using the internet, and advice about what parents can do to keep their child safe. The booklet is now available in more than 450 O2 stores nationwide.

Children and young people who are concerned about online bullying, or any other issue, can contact our Childline service online or by calling 0800 1111.

We are also campaigning through our Wild West Web campaign for an independent regulator to be introduced across the UK. We can all do our part to keep children safe online but we also need to hold tech giants to account and implement tough consequences if they fail.

Emma Motherwell

Local Campaigns Manager