Childnet CEO Warns of Online Risks Facing Young People
Will Gardner, CEO of Childnet International, is set to discuss online risks facing young people. Gardner, also a Director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, has been instrumental in promoting child online safety through initiatives like Safer Internet Day. His insights will cover financial sextortion, scams, and other threats targeting children as young as eight.
Gardner's expertise comes from leading Childnet, a charity known for its award-winning online safety resources. He emphasises empowering young people to actively participate in creating safer digital spaces. Parents and caregivers can start these conversations by focusing on children's favourite tech aspects.
Children are increasingly targeted by sophisticated online scams and manipulation, often unnoticed by families. If sextortion occurs, Gardner advises parents to stop communication, gather evidence, report abuse, and use tools like 'Take It Down' to remove harmful content. For scams, reporting to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, is crucial. Trend Micro's ScamCheck tool can also help spot suspicious links and guard against online threats.
Will Gardner's upcoming discussion highlights the pressing need for online safety awareness among young people. His work at Childnet and the UK Safer Internet Centre underscores the importance of collective effort in making the internet a safer place for children.
