Child web protection summit planned

A special summit examining how best to protect children when they are online is being organised by the Scottish Government.
Ministers hope the event will help protect youngsters as well as ensure worried parents are better informed about how to deal with the dangers of the internet.

Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell said internet safety had become a priority issue following a series of cases of children and young people being threatened and blackmailed online, sometimes with tragic consequences.

Daniel Perry, 17, from Dunfermline, Fife, is thought to have killed himself earlier this year after falling victim to a scam where internet users are lured into webcam chats and then blackmailed with the footage.

The teenager is said to have believed he was talking to an American girl on Skype but was told by blackmailers that the conversations had been recorded and would be shared with friends and family unless he paid up.

Ms Campbell said: ” Over recent weeks and months we’ve seen too many reports of young people’s lives being damaged or ending tragically after being targeted on chat and social networking sites.

“That is why I am arranging a summit to invite experts, including those who work directly with young people, to see what more we can do in Scotland to protect our children as well as inform worried parents.”

The Children’s Minister, together with Learning Minister Alasdair Allan will invite leading figures from organisations with a clear role in child internet safety to take part in a summit to discuss improving online protection later this year.

Ms Campbell added: ” While much of internet safety is not devolved to the Scottish Government, we are committed to making sure child internet safety is properly recognised in Scottish education, policing and child protection policies and that the best support is available to anyone targeted.

“The national anti-bullying service Respectme offers excellent support and advice to both parents and young people, we can build on this by looking at what more can be done and how we can share the wide-reaching expertise at our disposal.”

Iain Ellis, chair of the National Parent Forum of Scotland, said online safety was an issue of great concern to parents

“The National Parent Forum of Scotland welcomes the Scottish Government focus on internet safety, as we know this is something that really concerns parents.” he said.

“Whilst schools sometimes do run internet safety information evenings for parents, we would really benefit from receiving clear, consistent and regularly updated information, as the possibilities and risks of the internet are fast-changing.

“Using the internet in positive ways is a crucial part of everyday life, it is important that our children develop healthy, constructive internet habits and that they learn to keep themselves safe. Parents need to know how to help them with this.”