The FA and Buntingford Cougars are supporting the Internet Watch Foundation – please engage positively with your children about their online activities.
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) Campaign launches as new report finds girls across society at worsening risk of grooming from sexual predators online
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has shared a hard-hitting campaign warning teenage girls and their parents about the dangers of being groomed online by sexual predators. The IWF has identified that 11-13 year old girls are at more risk than ever before. This campaign is backed by the UK Home Office and Microsoft.
IWF experts, who work internationally to find and remove child sexual abuse material from the internet, warn this abuse now, for the first time, makes up almost half of what they are finding online.
You can watch their film here. Please be aware this film is impacting and maybe a difficult watch for some, but never-the-less it’s an important message that is clearly delivered.
The IWF’s annual report reveals:
- In 2020, the IWF confirmed 68,000 cases of self-generated imagery. It now accounts for nearly half (44%) the imagery IWF took action on last year (IWF analysts confirmed 153,350 reports of child sexual abuse material in total).
- This is a 77% increase on 2019’s total of 38,400 reports which included “self-generated” material.
- New analysis shows in 80% of these cases, the victims were 11- to 13-year-old girls.
All parents should take time to review ‘Tips to ensure your child’s online safety’ available here. It’s important that parents/carers are guided positively to engage with their child(ren) about their online activities.
The IWF campaign encourages parents/carers to T.A.L.K to their children about the 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.
- Discuss and agree on privacy settings for the platforms and apps your child uses, and on more general settings for the family.
Further helpful information is available for parents/carers via download 8.6 ‘Grooming – The signs and steps to take if you are worried about a child which is available here.
You can read the IWF full annual report at https://annualreport2020.iwf.org.uk
What is the role of the IWF?
A not for profit organisation the IWF vision is the global elimination of child sexual abuse imagery online. The IWF main aims are to:
- make the internet a safer place;
- help victims of child sexual abuse worldwide by identifying and removing online images and videos of their abuse;
- search for child sexual abuse images and videos and have them removed;
- provide a hotline as a safe place for the public to report anonymously.
How can I find out more about the IWF?
Simply visit https://www.iwf.org.uk/ for more information, including how to report anonymously and confidentially.
