July 2010     A UK child protection group has developed and launched a panic button to deliver internet safety to Facebook users, particularly those aged between 13 and 18 years.

For the first time all Facebook users –especially those aged between 13 – 18 years – can have direct access to CEOP’s advice and reporting centre – ClickCEOP – from their homepage giving them the very latest help on online safety as well as a dedicated facility for reporting instances of suspected grooming or inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Access to the ClickCEOP button will be provided via an application that users can add or bookmark so that it appears on their homepage as not only a constant source of help and reassurance for them but also as a strong visual signal to their friends, family and others that they are in control online.

The application will be backed by a new CEOP page that, when ‘liked’, will look to engage with young people to help raise the profile of online safety.  The move is also being supported by extensive wide spread advertising on Facebook that will encourage take up of the application.  This will include an automatic advert-message appearing on every homepage of users aged between 13-18 years inviting them to add the application.

Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre said: “We know from speaking to offenders that a visible deterrent could protect young people online. We urge all Facebook users to add the app and bookmark it so that others can see that they’re in control online."

CEOP’s new Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/clickceop) will contain polls, news alerts and status updates. The page will look at topics that teenagers care about, such as celebrities, music and exams, and will link these subjects to questions about online safety. The CEOP page will also give users the option to add the new ClickCEOP application.

From information provided by CEOP, July 12, 2010.

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