Generative Artificial IntelligenceChild safety risks highlighted around Gen AI include sexual grooming, sexual extortion and exposure to harmful content.

Author: NSPCC

Published: 28-01-2025

NSPCC Learning has published new research on Generative (Gen) Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on children’s safety and wellbeing. Child safety risks highlighted around Gen AI include sexual grooming, sexual extortion and exposure to harmful content.

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X (Formally Twitter) ChecklistInformation on how to keep your X profile under your control

Author: SWGFL

Published: 04-12-2024

Whether you’re new to X or an experienced user, managing your profile can sometimes feel overwhelming. The X Checklist simplifies this process by addressing the most common questions people have about their profiles. Available to download or order online.

‘So You Got Naked Online’ ReleasedNew Version

Author: SWGFL

Published: 29-11-2024

The way young people communicate online is constantly evolving and it is essential that young people are provided with up-to-date advice and support. With the latest online safety concerns in mind, SWGfL has released a new version of So You Got Naked Online, to provide children, guardians and teachers with essential advice on what to do if a young person (or a friend) has put a sexting image or video online and have lost control over that content and who it’s being shared with. Available to download or order online. SEND version also available.

Online safety: government prioritiesIts work to implement the Online Safety Act.

Author: Gov.UK

Published: 20-11-2024

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has announced new online safety priorities for Ofcom as it continues its work to implement the Online Safety Act. Ofcom will have to report back to the Secretary of State on what action it has taken against the priorities. The draft Statement of strategic priorities for online safety focuses on five key areas: implementing safety by design; increasing transparency and accountability of online platforms; maintaining regulatory agility to keep pace with changing technology and behaviour; building an inclusive and resilient online society of well-informed users; and supporting continued innovation in safety technologies. The Government has also announced plans for a new research project looking at the effects of smartphones and social media on children to help build the evidence base around online harms.

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Insights on responses to children experiencing online harm and abuseOnline Harms

Author: NSPCC

Published: 16-08-2024

This briefing uses insights from Childline counselling sessions and NSPCC Helpline contacts to share the types of responses children receive after they have told someone about their experiences of online harm or abuse.

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Insights and Trends: Analysis of Report Harmful Content 2023Summary for Harmful Content 2023 report

Author: SWGFL

Published: 28-03-2024

Report Harmful Content is a national alternative dispute resolution service provided by the UK Safer Internet Centre and operated by SWGfL, empowering anyone over the age of 13 and living in the UK to report harmful content online.

Insights and Trends: Analysis of Report Harmful Content2023 Update

Author: SWGFL

Published: 28-03-2024

Report Harmful Content is a national alternative dispute resolution service provided by the UK Safer Internet Centre and operated by SWGfL, empowering anyone over the age of 13 and living in the UK to report harmful content online.

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Understanding Pathways to Online Violent Content Among ChildrenExplores the pathways through which children encounter violent content online

Author: Ofcom

Published: 14-03-2024

This research explores the pathways through which children encounter violent content online, the impact this can have, and perceptions and use of safety measures. It also provides an overview of children’s description of what violent content looks like, which they said was an ‘unavoidable’ part of being online. Content warning: This report contains mention of potentially distressing themes regarding children’s experiences with violent content, including sexual violence. The report contains generalised descriptions of specific pieces of violent content, but detailed descriptions have been omitted.

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Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young peopleGuidance on responding to incidents and safeguarding children and young people

Author: Gov.UK

Published: 11-03-2024

This non-statutory advice aims to support designated safeguarding leads (or equivalents) and senior leadership teams in education settings in England in responding effectively to incidents involving the sharing of nudes and semi-nudes.

Making sure your home doesn’t have an open door to child Sexual abusersGuidance for parents and carers

Author: Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)

Published: 25-01-2024

Young people are being contacted in their own homes on online platforms and apps and asked for sexual pictures and videos, while their parents and carers believe they are safe. More and more sexual abuse material is created by offenders who coerce and groom children into sexual activities, often in children’s own bedrooms and bathrooms. They then record this via webcams or livestreaming services. It’s known as ‘self -generated’ child sexual abuse imagery. This is happening now, and it can happen to anyone. But you can do something about it; you can help prevent it happening to your child. If you’re asking yourself what and how, this guidance will help you.

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Learning Disabilities, Autism and Internet SafetyA guide for parents

Author: Cerebra

Published: 25-01-2024

All parents understand the importance of Internet safety. Our guide outlines some suggestions to help you limit the risk of your child having negative experiences online and understand what action can be taken if they do. This guide also suggests resources that will help your child get the most out of the Internet.

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Talk Trust Empower: Child Sexual Abuse Research ReportResearch Report

Author: IWF/University of Southampton

Published: 11-01-2024

In 2021, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) ran a public awareness campaign with the aim of building public resilience to the threat of self-generated indecent imagery of children. As part of the monitoring and evaluation of the campaign, three surveys were conducted on the issue: one before the launch of the campaign, one following the first six weeks of campaign activity and one at the end of a further six weeks’ activity. The purpose of the secondary analysis was to produce insights into both parents’ and children’s awareness, understanding and behaviour in relation to self-generated indecent imagery.

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Research on harmful sexual behaviour in online contextsKey messages

Author: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual abuse

Published: 01-11-2023

“Our ‘Key messages from research’ papers aim to provide succinct, relevant information for frontline practitioners and commissioners. They bring together the most up-to-date research into an accessible overview, supporting confident provision of the best possible responses to child sexual abuse. This paper focused on children and young people who display harmful sexual behaviours in online contexts.”

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Managing risk and trauma after online sexual offendingA whole-family safeguarding guide

Author: Centre or Expertise on Child Secual abuse

Published: 01-05-2023

This resource is for social work practitioners and managers. It has been designed to aid their thinking and decision-making when assessing and supporting a family where a parent is under police investigation for accessing child sexual abuse material. It provides social workers with the information they need to safeguard and support the whole family at a time of great emotional distress.

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YJLC: Legal guides #12 SextingYouth Justice guide

Author: Youth Justice legal Centre

Published: 01-01-2023

This guide will provide an overview of ‘sexting’ and will explain how to defend a child who has an allegation of sexting made against them.

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