Make time to get informed about pitfalls and traps of online activities

Facebook, Tw i t t e r, Instagram. Most parents will use or at least be familiar with these social media mainstays.

But Yolo, Houseparty and Kik? You may not have heard of them but your children probably have.

So how do you, as a responsible parent, protect your offspring from viewing inappropriate or e ven harmful material, when you struggle to keep up with the technology and media yourself ?

Organisations such as Parenting Across Scotland can offer a wealth of information and advice about cyber security.

Project officer Alison Clancy said: “Sometimes as adults and parents we tend to think that the kids know a lot more than us about digital devices, about online games or platforms.

“They ’re sometimes referred to as digital natives, and we think they’ ll know everything about it, but actually they don’t and we have to think about how we can support them to know more about keeping their information private and making them awa r e of w h at online companies do with their information.”

She encouraged parents to monitor children’s online activity by getting involved.

She also urged parents not to assume their children will learn all they need to know at school, and not to assume their child is safe because nothing has happened.

Sergeant Gavin Jardine is part of Police Scotland’s Cyber Crime Harm Prevention Team aiming to crack down on a host of online crimes, including offences such as cyber bullying and grooming.

He said: “It’s important that we educate children about their digital footprint and make sure that they understand once something is put on to the internet, there’s no removing it and it’s always going to be there,” he said.

“Something that may have been posted innocently on any of the social media platforms may be interpreted in a different way than they intended and there can be repercussions with detrimental effects on their social standing in school, for example, or even on their mental health.”

Police Scotland revealed a stark rise in the number of online child sexual crimes as June recorded the highest numbers ever in a month with 226 crimes – an increase of 21% on the same period last year.

Figures also showed 651 offences of communicating indecently with a child were recorded by the force in the last year, compared to 354 crimes in 2014/15.

Mr Jardine said: “Kids can have their headsets on, for example, and we have no idea who they’re talking to.

“It’s not always easy but if you care for a young person, talk to them and take an interest in what they’re doing in the same way parents ask about what they’ve been up to after they’ve been outside with their friends.

“I don’t know that we do t h at enough with the internet and it doesn’t have to be an intrusion of their privacy. It’s normalising the discussion so they feel comfortable coming to you.”

“The online world is a great place and it can be highly useful for children if it is used well.”

Mr Ja r d i n e suggests concerned parents try to discuss their fears with their children in the first instance. If something is wrong, then they should contact police for support.

Make sure they understand once something is put on to the internet, there’s no removing it