Call for urgency on implementation of Internet safety strategy

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend has called on the Executive to move more swiftly to implement an Internet safety strategy.  

She has responded to new worrying figures from Childline.

More than 160 children in Northern Ireland called the helpline last year – expressing concerned about online sexual abuse.

Almost 5,000 calls were handled - sexual abuse accounted for 5.6 per cent of them.

Mrs Overend says with more children using mobile devices, much of the online sexual abuse taking place goes unreported.

“The internet has brought many advantages to modern life, but new figures released from Childline provides a worrying picture of the potential harm many children and young people face as they engage with the online world using websites, apps and webcams,” she says.

 She says the rise in online grooming is highlighted by Childline which provided 164 counselling sessions with children from Northern Ireland concerned about online sexual abuse last year.

“However, the NSPCC which runs the Childline service says the figure could be higher because a quarter of young people did not disclose where they are from. On the whole last year, children worried about online sexual abuse is up 24%, with most aged 12-15 and two-thirds being girls,” she adds.

Mrs Overend says she welcomes the ‘Listen to Your Selfie’ campaign and hopes that it encourages young people to be more aware of the risks of engaging in online activity.

“For some time now I have campaigned for a cross departmental Internet Safety Strategy, and last week I asked the Minister of Health for an update on the progress of on this important Strategy. I am still waiting for an answer and it is not acceptable for the Executive to continue to twiddle its thumbs while figures on online sexual abuse continue to rise,” she adds.

Children and young people can contact Childline for free, confidential support and advice, 24 hours a day on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.