POLICE in Lancashire will be holding talks with children and parents as part of Safer Internet Day (SID) which takes place today, Tuesday 9 February.

The day, coordinated nationally by the UK’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre, is an annual event which aims to promote the safer and more responsible use of online technologies and mobile phones by children and young people.

The theme for this year is “Think before you post”, and is aimed at encouraging children and young people to manage their online identity by utilising privacy settings on social networking sites, selecting friends online that they can trust, and taking careful consideration of the potential consequences before publishing images of themselves and others online.

Head of Public Protection at Lancashire Constabulary Graham Coulston-Herrmann said: “There are a range of activities taking place across Lancashire to help protect young people online.

“Both Lancashire Constabulary and our partners in the local authority and education are working to protect children online.

“Young people are using the internet more and more in their daily lives and we should encourage them to use it safely whilst always being mindful that there are associated dangers.

“I would advise parents to talk to their child about what they are doing online and make sure that they understand that they should keep online friends online.”

People can visit www.ceop.police.uk or www.thinkuknow.co.uk/saferinternetdayuk to find out how to get involved in the day or to gain advice, help and support.

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