Has someone acted inappropriately towards your child online?

If your child has experienced sexual or offensive chat that has made them feel uncomfortable or someone is trying to meet up with them, you can report this directly to us.

This may have happened in a chat room, message board, instant messenger or on a social networking site. It could be on a mobile phone, games console or computer. It could be messages, images or conversations over webcam. The important thing is that if an adult is making sexual advances to your child on the internet you should report it to us.

If you or your child are in immediate danger call 999

How can I help my child stay safe?

For a wide range of information about keeping your child safe online visit our Thinkuknow site.

What help can I get for my child?

If your child needs someone to talk to because of anything which has upset them, it could be that they are being bullied or that they have seen something online which they wish they hadn’t, there are a number of places they can go.

Children can ring Childline on 0800 1111 and speak to trained counsellors about any problems they may face. Childline is run by the NSPCC and is there to help your child.

The Childline website also offers excellent help and advice on a whole range of issues.

Help from Cyber Mentors

Cybermentors is a place your children can go to talk to other people their own age if they are being bullied or are troubled by things.

The Cyber Mentors site offers excellent advice and guidance so please use it.

Worried about viruses, hacking and online security?

Being the victim of online crime can be as distressing as real-world robbery. Learn about the real risks and understand the urgency of protecting your family at GetSafeOnline.

Seen something illegal online?

If you have come across something you think might be illegal online, such as sexual images of children and young people, then you can report this to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF). It’s their job to make sure that things like this are taken off the internet.

Child sex offender disclosure scheme

This scheme provides members of the public with a way to check whether people who have contact with their children have a criminal record for child sex offences. If it can help keep children safe the police will pass on the information.

For more information on the scheme which is now available in all 43 police forces in England and Wales visit this Home Office website page.

If you are concerned and want to check whether someone in contact with a child under your care has any convictions for child sex offences, you can do so by contacting the police force in your area.