Safeguarding Newsletter - Online Harm

1 What are online harm groups?

Online harm groups (sometimes called “Com groups”) use messaging, gaming platforms and online communities to manipulate, threaten or exploit young people.

They may pressure someone to:

• Harm themselves or others
• Share nude or sexual images or videos
• Carry out humiliating acts
• Hurt siblings or pets
• Record or livestream the above acts as proof for the group or others to share

Both group members and those targeted are often under 18 years old. Try asking: “Has anyone online ever made you feel you had to prove yourself?

2 How can online contact become harmful?

Contact may begin as a friendly chat about games or shared interests. Someone might offer attention and support, then demand secrecy, personal information or images, and use threats or blackmail to gain control.

Remind your child: Real friends respect boundaries and accept “no”.

3 Notice changes. Keep talking.

Be alert to secrecy or distress about online activity, intense involvement with a new online group, unexplained gifts or in-game currency, fear of leaving a group, or unexplained injuries. A single sign does not prove abuse.

Try asking: “Is there anyone online who makes you feel worried or trapped?”

3 What to do if you are worried.

Stay calm, listen without judgement, and reassure your child that they are not to blame. Encourage them to stop contact and preserve messages or other potential evidence rather than deleting it.

Report concerns to police on 101; call 999 if there is immediate danger. Under-18s can also report to CEOP.