Last updated by Stephanie Rosser on Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Online safety is as important as ever in the lead up to the festive season with technology and gadgets high on the wish list for many young people this Christmas. The Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) are reminding parents and carers that if their child does receive a new device or games consoles for Christmas, it’s important to set them up correctly to keep children safe when online - the parental controls installed on previous devices may need checking and setting up again.

From 9-15 December 2024 the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) and partners are encouraging people across Essex to take part in sharing messages about online safety across social media.

The week of activity will cover topics including youth involved sexual images, online gaming, and online safety for pre-schoolers. There will be information on how to support young people to have healthy relationships in a digital world and the importance of supporting them to understand the dangers that technology can present with relationships.

Any child is at risk of being exploited - both boys and girls can be groomed online, with contact often starting on social media. It is important to remember that exploitation is not the child’s fault, and they are never to blame.

Caregivers can create a supportive environment, where online safety is discussed regularly in the same way as road safety or stranger danger, enabling children to speak up about any concerns they may have. By taking an interest in what games they are playing and trying to understand their online world, parents and carers can initiate important conversations.

The ESCB online safety webpages have resources for parents, carers and professionals including podcasts, videos, how to report concerns, and information about spotting the signs of exploitation.

Concerns about child exploitation can be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555111. There is also a dedicated Essex Police Child Exploitation hotline - for parents, carers and members of the public to seek advice around concerns they may have about their own or other children with regards to criminal and sexual exploitation: 01245 452058.