Under current law, if someone takes, makes, possesses, shares or advertises an indecent photo, image or video of a child (under the age of 18) then they are committing an offence. Likewise, if someone allows indecent photos, images or videos of a child to be taken, then they too are breaking the law. The maximum sentence an offender could face is 10 years’ imprisonment.

If a child is asked to take indecent photos by an adult, this constitutes a form of child abuse. Likewise if an adult encourages a child to participate in any sexualised messaging, even if indecent images are not involved, because this is a form of grooming.

A child willingly taking an indecent photo of themselves or another child is, strictly speaking, committing an offence. However, the Crown Prosecution Service will consider whether it is in the public interest to prosecute and the ages of both parties involved if the image was sent consensually. The police can also give a formal warning, which would remain on record.

Technology increases the reasons and the ways children encounter bullying. Cyberbullying is when someone bullies others using electronic means.

Reasons: Bullying can involve the spreading of rumours, hurtful comments, victimisation based on looks, disability, sexuality, race or religion. There is also a lot of pressure to have the latest devices, so when a child doesn’t have the most uptodate phone, they may feel isolated and be subjected to bullying.

Ways: This might involve social media and messaging services on the internet, accessed on a mobile phone, tablet or gaming platform.

Places: Because of how young people communicate, it also means that bullying doesn’t stop the moment you leave the school gates. If children have access to the internet at home, bullying can go with them to their home and to their bedroom. It can be hard to get away from.

Take action

• Choose to block or unfriend
• Report or flag upsetting content
• Save the evidence

Grooming is where a person seeks to build an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or trafficking.

Children and young people can be groomed online or face-to-face, by a stranger or by someone they know - for example a family member, friend or professional.

Groomers may be male or female. They could be any age.

Many children and young people don't understand that they have been groomed or that what has happened is abuse.

There’s a chance that your child may meet people online or visit websites that could lead them to adopting what you consider to be extreme views, and becoming radicalised. Curiosity could lead your child to seek out these people, or they could befriend your child in order to encourage them to adopt beliefs or persuade them to join groups whose views and actions you as a parent would consider extreme.

The internet creates more opportunities to become radicalised. Both Far-Right and Islamic extremist groups are increasingly using the Internet to radicalise and recruit young people.