They may come across content not intended for them—graphic material steeped in violence, with images inappropriate for their age. Very dangerous and destructive games are being distributed increasingly often. Bolesławiec police officers talk about the dangers found online during meetings with students.
We all use the Internet. It helps us in everyday life with payments, travel and shopping, and the list could go on endlessly. Children and young people search online for knowledge required at school, as well as content related to their interests or hobbies. They make new acquaintances and maintain relationships with people they have met. Unfortunately, in all this they are exposed to the possibility of encountering content not intended for them—graphic material steeped in violence, with images inappropriate for their age. On various social networking sites, both well-known and specialised ones, there are people convinced of their anonymity who treat the Internet as a tool for committing criminal acts.
Virtual contact can have tragic consequences in the real world, including financial losses and sexual offences, or have a destructive impact leading to self-harm or even suicide. Very dangerous and destructive games are increasingly distributed through online social media and instant messaging services. These games are aimed mainly at young people. Their essence is initially to gain the player’s trust; as the game progresses, terrified teenagers are forced to perform various tasks through intimidation and threats.
Through the Internet, popular social media profiles and messaging services, children are also increasingly falling victim to peer violence and other forms of cyberbullying. It also happens that they share their personal data with strangers. These are very dangerous situations.
Bolesławiec police officers remind parents that they need to take an interest in what their children do online: whether they use websites appropriate for their age, what information they post on their profiles, which messaging services they use and whom they contact.
Children who are beginning to navigate the Internet should be made aware that they need to protect their privacy and must not trust people they meet online. If something worries a child, they should tell an adult.