Protect kids from online predators

MANY parents are rightly worried about the online world their children inhabit and the risks that they face.

Many teens are aware of the dangers of social media but there are vulnerable young people who are easy prey for grooming by those who wish them harm.

Convicted sex offender Matthew Kelsey managed to groom his 14-year-old Scots victim on Facebook with a fake profile that made out that he was just 15 when they met online.

He travelled from England to carry out abuse having used social media to convince his victim that they were in a relationship.

The man was twice the age of his victim – and he was only brought to justice when the victim’s mother met him and realised he was no teenager.

The story, published in today’s Record, is every parent’s worst nightmare.

The mum is now convinced social media firms should shoulder some responsibility for halting online grooming of youngsters by manipulative adults.

She has backed a campaign by children’s charity the NSPCC calling for tech giants to face prosecution if they allow youngsters to be groomed online.

The UK Government’s proposed Online Harms Bill to force tech firms to keep kids safe on their sites, with tough consequences if they fail to do so, could help. It could hold websites accountable if they fail to tackle harmful content.

But the Bill was first proposed in 2017 and has faced delay after delay.

The protection of our children must be a priority and the Government should make sure the Bill has a top slot in the parliamentary timetable.

If not, many more children will fall prey to wicked abusers such as Kelsey.