As a reaction to a concerning number of reported cases of sexual abuse of children online, the UK`s National Crime Agency is decided to expand their educational programme ThinkUKnow, aiming to teach children about dangers of online grooming. As part of this effort, as series of animated videos has been produced, unique for targeting children as young as four years, showcasing adventures of Jessie and Friends as a way to teach young children to protect themselves when online.
According to the NCA director, Rob Jones “by getting in young, these behaviours will be learned and by the time children are more autonomous on the internet, they will be much less likely to be victims or be targeted by offenders.”
It has been recognized by actors involved that arresting offenders is not the only action to be taken, having in mind offenders are staring to use advance technology and increasingly more sophisticated ways to find and exploit their victims. The experts confirmed 5 years old are likely to become targets.
The animated videos are available to schools and parents, advising children to how to stay safe while online as well as to reach out to a trusted adult if encountering anything that makes them uncomfortable.
Another piece of the solution lies in making tech giants responsible and accountable for protecting children and the UK government announced the Online Harms White Paper in which they will lay out a plan how to address this issue.