Today, the Internet Watch Foundation launched their new self-generated child sexual abuse prevention campaign.
Data shows 11-13 year old girls are increasingly at risk of grooming and coercion at the hands of online predators. In 2020, the IWF confirmed 68,000 cases of self-generated imagery, a rise of 77% on 2019 and self-generated imagery accounts for nearly half (44%) the imagery they took action on last year. In 80% of these cases, the victims were 11- to 13-year-old girls.
The hard-hitting campaign, backed by the UK Home Office and Microsoft, aims to empower girls, and warn their parents and carers, about the risks posed by online predators targeting children. The goal of this much-needed campaign is to build resilience to the threat of self-generated sexual abuse of children, thereby reducing the number of incidences.
As part of the campaign, parents are encouraged to T.A.L.K. to their children about online dangers.
- Talk to your child about online sexual abuse. Start the conversation and listen to their concerns.
- Agree ground rules about the way you use technology as a family.
- Learn about the platforms and apps your child loves. Take an interest in their online life.
- Know how to use tools, apps and settings that can help to keep your child safe online.
