Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

e-Safety

The rapid growth of the internet and of electronic technologies has opened up a world of exciting opportunities for many children and young people.

Through the internet and mobile technology it is possible for young people to have access to almost unlimited information worldwide, to be entertained with films and music and, through social networking sites to contact and socialise with other young people. However alongside the benefits there are also risks, and while most young people are very competent in using these technologies, their knowledge and understanding of the risks is often very low.

The risks to children and young people are various: being exposed to inappropriate content; being groomed by someone who wants to abuse them; being bullied on line or via mobile technology; blackmailed; of having their identity stolen; and of being the subject of fraud. Children and young people need to be protected from these risks and they need to be helped to develop the skills to keep themselves safe when they are on line.

Stockton-on-Tees Local Safeguarding Children Board and Children's Trust have a key role to play in promoting the welfare of children and young people and in particular in ensuring that they are safe. It is recognised by both Boards that ensuring children and young people are safe when they are on line is a key part of that responsibility to help children stay safe.

In addition to E-Safety local strategies and plans, this page will also provide, professional, parents, carers and young people with links to others sites that can provide a useful source of information to help children and young people stay safe whilst using information technology.

• The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre aims to tackle the exploitation of children and works with children and parents to deliver the "Thinkuknow" internet safety programme. The site has " Report, advice and help" button, on the right of this page, if you have any concerns about internet or online safety. www.ceop.gov.uk / www.thinkuknow.co.uk.
• Childnet International, a non-profit organisation working with others to "help make the Internet a great and safe place for children". www.childnet-int.org.
• Insafe is a European network of Awareness Centres promoting safe, responsible use of the Internet and mobile devices to young people. - www.saferinternet.org. 
• The UK Hotline for reporting illegal online content specifically- www.iwf.org.uk.
• Kidscape is committed to keeping children safe from abuse. Kidscape is the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. www.kidscape.org.uk.
• Northern Grid for Learning which provides high quality digital learning experiences for educational professionals and their students. www.northerngrid.org.