PARENTS are being warned about internet safety after it was revealed that one in five children in Dorset have been victims of online bullying.

Privacy, grooming, sexual images, harmful content, cyberbullying and fraud are just some of the dangers facing children using the internet.

Safer Schools and Communities Officer, PC Jeff Grey said many cases are never reported.

He said: “Our figures show that 21 per cent of young people have been subjected to online bullying.

“The reality is that this number is almost definitely much higher because so many cases are unreported.

“Me and the team spend most of our time going to schools and talking about cyberbullying and what can be done about it.”

An Echo investigation has revealed that Dorset Police received 1,367 re-ports citing issues with Facebook last year, 67 of which were emergency calls.

The figures were obtained through a Freedom of Infor-mation request.

PC Grey said: “It’s always appropriate to call the police about this kind of issue.

“Facebook is the site which causes us the most concern because the vast majority of people use it and it always raises its head.

“It’s where paedophiles target children because they know a lot of young people use the site.

“Young people can make themselves very vulnerable online.”

Latest figures show that 20 per cent of eight to 15-year-olds with a social network profile have their privacy settings on public.

PC Grey said parents need to take a more active role in protecting their children online: “Social networking sites on their own can’t solve the problem – parents need to take responsibility for what their children do online.

“No sites are any safer than others, paedophiles will always go where young people are and even the nicest looking sites can be targeted.”

He added: “Computers should be in a family room where adults are walking past all the time. Games consoles can also access live chat and we have seen boys giving away their phone numbers and even their bank details.”

PC Grey added: “If you’ve got children aged 13 or 14 then you have a job on your hands to get involved.

“Online predators are very clever and know how to come across as a young person and to trick children into giving away their personal details.”

Figures show that almost a third of children have had contact with people online who they have never met in real life.

“Children need to be aware that friends who you don’t know in the real world are strangers and that’s how you should treat them,” he said.

“Never give out pictures, your name, address or phone number.

“If you are a victim of online abuse make sure you tell someone about it as soon as it happens.”

To report abuse call Dorset Police on 101 or in an emergency dial 999.

For more information visit ceop.police.uk or call 0870 000 3344.

Guidelines for parents and children

THE UK Council for Child Internet Safety has launched new guidelines to educate parents and children about internet safety.

The guidelines were published as part of a global drive to promote a safer internet for children and young people.

The aim is to make it easier for parents to protect their children from harmful or inappropriate online content, whichever device is used in the home.

Parents are recommended to use filters and talk to their children about their internet use.

And children are warned that if they come across upsetting material online or someone has made them feel uncomfortable they should talk to a trusted adult, and if necessary, make a report.

'A safer environment'

A Facebook spokesman said: “Since our founding in 2004, we have worked to provide a safer and more trusted environment.

“Anyone can report inappropriate, offensive or dangerous content through ‘report’ links, which are found on almost every page of Facebook. Enhanced ‘Social Reporting’ gives people the option to report content, send a copy of the content to a trusted friend, or block the person who posted it.”

r further information go online and visit www.saferinternet.org.uk