Online Safety

We have been asked by Merseyside Police to make parents and carers aware of live video-streaming apps called live.ly and Live.Me.

live.ly is the fastest-growing social media streaming application available at the moment and has approximately 20 million users.

They both allow the users to live-stream videos of themselves and also allows users to watch other streamed videos.
 

The apps have limited security features and it is possible for users to potentially have their location identified and to be contacted by other unknown users.
 

It is possible for any video to be recorded and shared without the permission or knowledge of the person who made the video. The apps are aimed at adults, so the content is potentially highly unsuitable for our children.

Merseyside Police would encourage parents to make sure they know what apps their child is using, how each app works and what their child is using it for. Many legitimate apps are being used by young people in a way that allows them to communicate with or be contacted by absolute strangers. This creates a significant risk to their child.
 

It is really important that society becomes more aware of the possible risk of exploitation on mobile apps and social media sites, and people know how to report suspicious activity to the police.
 

Parents, guardians, carers and teachers have a responsibility to know what the warning signs are and to look out for them to prevent a child putting themselves at risk or forming inappropriate relationships online.

Another app that has caused issues recently is musical.ly, a video-sharing social network. Once again it is aimed at older teenagers so the content can include very bad language and explicit material. A similar app is called Dubsmash.

A recent Channel 4 news investigation highlighted the dangers of these apps. Click on the photo to watch it.

 Thinkuknow is the education programme from CEOP ( Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre),  a command of the National Crime Agency, which protects children both online and offline. 

Parentzone has 'parent guides' about the most popular apps and services, giving advice about parental and privacy controls. The guides are about Instagram, Facebook, Secret Converations, Twitch, Netflix, Live streaming, Influencer marketing, Esports, Fortnite, PEGI game ratings, Musical.ly, Snapchat, YouTube Kids, WhatsApp, Clash of Clans, Virtual Reality, Family games, Connected toys, Pokemon Go, Social media apps, Nintendo Switch, Minecraft, Yubo, Amazon Prime and Skype. There are also guides to self-esteem, digital detoxing, peer pressure and dealing with traumatic events.  

The NSPCC and O2 guide to social networks that children might use. As well as the apps listed for Parentzone, there are guides on Clash Royale, CSR Racing, Discord,  Disney Club Penguin Island, Dubsmash, Episodes, FaceTime, FIFA Football, Friv, Google Hangouts, Grand Theft Auto, Kik, Miniclip, MovieStar Planet,  Omegle, Pinterest, PopJam, Reddit, Roblox, Sarahah, Score! Hero, SoundCloud, Steam, Tumblr, Twich, Twitter, Viber and Wattpad.

Childnet has guides about parental controls,  how to give advice to children, conversation starters, how to report problems and 'Hot Topics'.

Parent Info is a collaboration between NCA-CEOP and Parent Zone. Parent Info is a website for parents, covering all of the issues amplified by the internet. 

ParentPort is run by the UK’s media regulators. They set and enforce standards across the media to protect children from inappropriate material.

Tips, advice, guides and resources to help keep your child safe online without needing to be an expert on the internet. Our advice and resources are here to support you as you support your child to use the internet safely, responsibility and positively.

 Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. We offer the largest, most trusted library of independent age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites, books, and music.  

AskAboutGames is a joint venture between the VSC Rating Board and games trade body Ukie, run with input and advice from across the games industry, to ensure their products are enjoyed by suitable audiences.

On the website you can ask questions about PEGI age ratings, find tips about safe and beneficial play and discover the best games to play yourself or with your family.

Internet Matters is a website with age-specific advice and research about online safety and other related well-being issues for parents and carers. It is  backed by the UK’s most prominent internet industry players.

CBBC Own It is aimed at children to help them deal with online safety and  well-being issues.  It has real-life stories, advice from experts, fun quizzes, and videos with CBBC presenters, celebs, and star vloggers. 

Each year Vodafone produce a Digital Parenting magazine that we give away free to families in our school. It can also be read online. Their website details some of the challenges that children might face online and provide lots of  'how to' guides, information and expert advice.