Video: Every day is Internet Safety Day in Ardboe and Moortown schools

TEACHERS in south Tyrone have been praised for their ongoing efforts to protect pupils from online predators.

To mark Internet Safety Day on Tuesday, Mid Ulster MLA Michelle O’Neill visited the children of St Patrick’s Primary School in Ardboe and St Peter’s Moortown, to help explain the importance of staying safe when using the internet.

This week, the PSNI revealed statistics which show that online child sexual abuse crimes have jumped by over 80 per-cent in the last three years.
In the last 12-month period, there were 308 crimes reported. These offences include sexual assault, rape, or sexual communication with a child where any element of the offence was committed online.

Speaking to the Dungannon Herald, Michelle O’Neill praised the ongoing efforts to protect pupils.

She said, “The teachers work with the pupils day and daily to ensure they are safe online and educating them around this whole area, which can be quite a difficult territory to navigate given that all the dangers that are posed.

“I have to commend the staff both here in Ardboe and Moortown, they are working really hard to give the young people the skills to stay safe.”
The MLA added, “We all live in this virtual world now so it’s really important that our young people are equipped to watch out for the dangers, while exploring the potential that there is online as well.”

As part of the awareness day, the PSNI issued a video to all schools, highlighting the potential dangers for their children online and encouraging parents to be more aware of their child’s online activities and in particular, who they are speaking to and the types of games they are playing.
Detective Chief Inspector Kerry Brennan said, “We know that children are being groomed online in Northern Ireland.

“Children now have access to numerous digital devices at home, meaning they are at greater risk to be targeted by online predators.
“We want to help parents understand the dangers online and encourage them to have the same safeguarding conversations that they would if their children were leaving the house to go outside to play.”

The detective added, “Just because they are in their room on their devices, doesn’t mean they are safe.

“Your child could be talking to anyone online. Check in regularly, find out who they are talking to and educate yourself and your child about the importance of online safety.”

The PSNI say their officers are working closely with local schools, Department of Education and the Education Authority to highlight the potential dangers online, and would appeal to any parents concerned that children may be being groomed online or at risk, to contact police on 101, or in an emergency always dial 999.

For more information on how to spot the signs of online grooming you can visit the NSPCC website here: www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/grooming/