In 1997, Pope John Paul II decided that the internet could use a patron saint to guide Catholics in its proper use. He chose Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636), Doctor of the Church, and last of the Latin Fathers. Saint Isidore of Seville compiled one of the first encyclopaedias which were said to be ‘practically everything that it is necessary to know’.
New technologies are helping us do amazing things we could have only dreamt of once. In seconds we can now be connected to people all across the world, we can carry entire libraries of books in our pockets and create amazing videos from devices we use everyday. Our lives are so intertwined with technology and the benefits this brings that we overlook the new dangers that appear as a result.
Here are a few helpful guides for everyone:
CEOP
CEOP is here to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online.
You can make a report directly to the CEOP Safety Centre by clicking on the Click CEOP button if something has happened online which has made you feel unsafe, scared or worried. This might be from someone you know in real life, or someone you have only ever met online. CEOP take all reports seriously and we will do everything we can to keep you safe.
As well as making a report to the CEOP Safety Centre, the CEOP Education website has information and advice to help you if something has happened to you online.
Are you being bullied?
CEOP are unable to respond to reports about bullying but if you’re being bullied and would like to talk to someone in confidence right now you can speak to Childline on 0800 1111 or talk to them online – no worry is too big or too small.
Report Harmful Content Button
The RHC button is an asset of SWGfL, a charity working internationally to ensure all benefit from technology, free from harm.
The button has been developed to offer anyone living in the UK a simple and convenient mechanism for gaining access to reporting routes for commonly used social networking sites, gaming platforms, apps and streaming services alongside trusted online safety advice, help and support. It also provides access to an online mechanism for reporting online harm to the RHC service for those over the age of 13 where an initial report has been made to industry but no action has been taken. RHC will review content in line with a sites’ community standards and act in a mediatory capacity where content goes against these.
Children under 13 years of age are encouraged to tell an adult that they trust about what has happened and to ask for their help in reporting this going through our how we can help resource together.
RHC also have advice and links to reporting routes for other online harms people may come across or face, such as impersonation, privacy violations and intimate image abuse.
The RHC button provides a gateway to the RHC reporting pages, an area of the RHC website offering:
- links to reporting routes on commonly used sites for 8 types of online harm
- help, advice and support on what to do if experiencing or witnessing harm online
- signposting to industry partners reporting forms and the ability to reportlegal but harmful content directly to RHC for further investigation
Reporting to RHC
Reports can be made 24/7 through the online reporting forms and helpline practitioners will review and respond to reports within 72 hours between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.
Reports can be made to RHC by anyone over the age of 13. SWGfL operates 3 helplines and to be sure you’re getting the right support take a look at the Helpline flowchart to find out who can best support you.
Online resources for e-safety:
| Concern | Website |
| Guidance on how you can keep children safe from abuse and other dangers, including online. | https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/
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| Bullying and cyberbullying- this link provides guidance on how to recognise an issue and hot to open dialogue to discuss t with your child. | https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/bullying-and-cyberbullying/
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| Online safety resources around online safety, networks, games, apps etc. | https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
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| A general website on staying safe online. | https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ |
| For a range of resources and links to advice across a host of parenting concerns including online issues. | https://hampshirescp.org.uk/
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| To help develop parenting controls on phones and computers. | https://www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/
https://saferinternet.org.uk/guide-and-resource/parents-and-carers
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