Dorset parents warned about website that allows children to talk to strangers
The website allows video chats with complete strangers
With more children spending time online during lockdown, we've been talking to Dorset Police's Cyber Protect Officer.
One school in Weymouth has alerted parents to the website Omegle.
Its whole premise is that you can talk to strangers.
Chris Conroy from Dorset Police says that has obvious dangers.
He told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
"You really don't know who you are going to be speaking to or what their intentions are.
"If someone's got a web cam active on the other end of it, you really don't know what you are going to see either. And that can pose an awful lot of problems for parents and children. Obviously if no one is keeping an eye on them you don't know what they are going to be looking at on there."
Chris is recommending that parents talk to their children about online safety.
He said:
"It's a very difficult one. As parents will be aware, as soon as you tell someone not to do something there is a drive or that curiosity for them to go and do it.
"It's having the conversations with your kids to make sure they are aware of the potential pitfalls of things that can go wrong."
How to talk to your children about online safety
All the advice is set out according to the age of your child.
Another area which can be of a concern are games that are played online.
Scammers can often lie in wait.
Chris said:
" There are people who will try and steal the kit that people have earned through playing the game. They will try and steal money through people's linked credit and debit cards.
"You don't want to scare kids. Its important that you talk to them in a way they still feel safe using the technology but that they are doing it safely."