Childline in East Yorkshire expecting a rise in calls
Online safety is thought to be a major issue
Last updated 29th Dec 2022
The NSPCC are bracing themselves for a surge in calls to ChildLine across East Yorkshire this festive season with online safety a major concern.
Concerns are being raised as many youngsters received new devices such as tablets over Christmas meaning they may be able to access upsetting content and could be contacted by strangers.
Parents are being advised to take precautions.
Childline says December and January are their busiest months.
We've been speaking to Helen Westerman from Childline.
She told us: "We know that December and January are among our busiest months at ChildLine so we know children will be turning to us for support."
"It can be potentially following things going wrong online or being worried about turning to mum and dad."
"Have a conversation with you child".
"What would this if someone contacted them that they didn't know".
"What what they do if they saw some content that worried or upset them".
"What would they do if they accidentally posted something they later came to worry about".
There are things parents can do
"On android devices you can restrict what content they can download in Google play."
"In Apple devices you can go into content and privacy restrictions in screen time to help block and limit specific apps, restrict explicit content."
"Stop them being able to purchase something or download something without you agreeing it."