Cleveland Police take part in Safer Internet Day aimed at protecting our community from online scams

Under the theme – too good to be true – the force is raising awareness on how members of the public can stay safe online from fraud, child sexual abuse and cyber flashing.

As part of the Safer Internet Centre’s biggest national day, there will be a focus on what young people are seeing and experiencing online including scams and how young people can protect themselves and others from exploitation and indecent exposure, as well as what support is available should you become a victim.

The day will also raise awareness of the important work that has already been achieved, the future of scams from the change in technology and the use of AI.

Detective Sergeant Kevin Carter, from Cleveland Police’s Cyber Crime Unit, said: “We are joining this National Day of Awareness to encourage children, young people and adults to be ever more cautious and aware of those who use the internet to scam, exploit, and share harmful content online.

“The online world is continuing to grow and change all the time and has an increasing impact on us, in particular social media platforms. The mass adoption of AI and the use of it to make scams more effective and sophisticated is a new challenge for us all. Therefore, how to use technology safely and positively is extremely important to protect and prevent young people and adults from the potential dangers they may face.

“Used for good, the internet is a global, positive, and productive community but when faced with something that seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

“We can all play a part in promoting a positive space by being kind and respectful to others as well as reporting inappropriate or illegal content and behaviour.”

As part of today’s theme, our Cyber Protect and Prevent officers will be hosting a couple of webinar sessions for parents and carers. They will be discussing what young people are doing online, things that adults need to be aware of to keep them safe and the laws around cyber-crime.

The first session is running today between 9.30am until 11am and the second session will be from 6pm until 7.30pm. To register please click this link.

Sergeant Carter added: “While we are raising awareness today, it is part of our daily business, and we have officers and staff visiting schools and colleges to provide a range of advice on how young people and children can protect themselves online and be aware of the dangers all year round.

“Through education and taking the right precautions we really can make a better internet, not just today, but every day.”

There are plenty of practical things we can all do online to better protect ourselves.

To protect children from being groomed, coerced or encouraged to engage in sexual activities online, parents and carers are advised to use the TALK method.

• Talk to your child about online sexual abuse
• Agree boundaries
• Learn about the platforms your child uses
• Know how to use safety tools, apps and settings

For more information click here and for support visit the Marie Collins Foundation website.

Information on cyber flashing can be found here.

Please visit the Cleveland Police website for more advice and tips on how to be cyber aware.

Safer Internet Day is organised by the joint Insafe/INHOPE network of Safer Internet Centres in Europe with the support of the European Commission. Once a year in February it promotes the safe and positive use of digital technology aimed at children and young people.

If you think you might be a victim of fraud or you might be aware of illegal content and behaviour, please contact Action Fraud either by calling 0300 123 2040 or reporting via their website Action Fraud.

If you have been a victim of child sexual abuse online or cyber flashing, please contact Cleveland Police on 101 or if in danger, always call 999.