Tuesday 6th February marks Safer Internet Day 2018!This year’s theme is ‘Create, Connect and Share Respect: A better internet starts with you”.
Do you work with children who live stream? Live streaming means using an app or website to put out a broadcast without delay or edit, just like live TV, and it’s fast becoming one of the most popular online activities for young people. Apps like Musical.ly, Live.me, Periscope and YouNow are soaring in popularity and established social networks like Facebook and Instagram have live streaming functions. In most of these apps, the audience can type comments on the video as it is broadcast and the broadcaster can read and respond to the comments as they are streaming.
Young people tell us they love using live streaming to showcase their talents, campaign on issues they’re passionate about, share their thoughts and feelings, have fun with friends, and connect with new people.
Worryingly, we are also seeing an increase in the use of live streaming by offenders seeking to abuse children. Luckily, there’s a lot we can all do to ensure that children understand the risks and learn how to keep themselves safe. Thinkuknow has produced a new education package for primary and secondary-aged children called #LiveSkills. Based on intelligence gathered by the NCA, the resources build children’s resilience against tactics offenders employ – such as flattery, bribery with virtual gifts, initiating apparently innocent games, or pressure and bullying behaviour. #LiveSkills empowers children to respond safely if they ever encounter such tactics.