The web is open to all and that’s basically a good thing.

But it does mean that extremists (religious, political, racist, sexist, etc). can push their distorted view of the world.

Young people may come across four types of danger:

1. Inappropriate material
Natural curiosity is normal but young people can be shocked by some material online. Examples include:

•    pornography

•    political and religious extremes

•    violence

•    material that is age inappropriate

•    bias

•    commercial pressures

2. Illegal material

•    identity theft

•    hate or cult websites

•    buying or selling stolen goods

•    gambling

•    promoting suicide

•    weapons and bomb making

•    hacking

•    drugs

3. Bullying

Children can be embarrassed, upset, depressed or afraid. They can experience damage to their self esteem and even threats to their psychological well-being.
This can happen by:

•    email

•    chat

•    IM

•    Text

4. Physical and sexual abuse

‘Grooming’ is the use of chat rooms/virtual worlds to make contact with young people for the purpose of meeting for sexual contact – or worse

It is often targeted at an individual over a long period to gain trust (online enticement/grooming)

Often the adult will pose as a fellow young person

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