Online safety campaign launches in Moray

A new year-long campaign which aims to help keep children safe online is being launched in Moray today.

'Moray – Let’s chat online safety' is focussing on raising awareness about online safety.

Fred McBride, chair of the Moray child protection committee, said: "We want parents and carers to know how to help their children stay safe by talking to them about online risks as early as possible.

"We also want to empower young people to be aware of their safety online and know there is someone to talk to if they’re worried."

The campaign launches today with an online event for professionals who work with children and families.

However, this will be followed with two workshops on Wednesday morning and late Thursday afternoon that are going to be open to parents and carers.

Participants will learn more about what children and young people are doing online, some of the associated risks and what can be done to minimise them.

Carla Malseed, the NSPCC's campaigns manager in Scotland, said: "The internet is amazing and there are lots of benefits to children and young people of being online – but there are also risks.

"As a parent or carer, one of the most important things you can do to help keep your children safe online is talk to them.

"You don’t have to be an expert in online safety to do this. We hope this campaign helps parents and carers and professionals to feel they have the tools and confidence to chat with a child about online safety as part of a normal, everyday conversation.

"Chatting regularly with your child means they will be more likely to tell you when something upsets or worries them."

Find out more about the Wednesday's workshop HERE and Thursday's HERE