Internet safety strategy backed by social networking websites

The largest and most popular Internet social networking websites have announced they will back the idea of "panic buttons" on UK Home access scheme computers

The so-called "panic button" is actually an Internet feature allowing a user to report online abuse and illicit activity directly to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre. The CEOP Report button, which can be downloaded for free here, is an online button that gives children, young people, their parents and guardians access to immediate online advice with just one click. The report button gives information on areas including viruses, cyber-bullying, hacking and online grooming by signposting to experts in each particular field. The standards should also give parents more control over children’s use of the internet with controls that enable them to prevent access to pages with offensive content The CEOP Report button also allows users to find contact details for local police and allows users to contact specially trained CEOP officers through an online reporting mechanism. Behind the button it is possible access to a global network of law enforcement partners called the Virtual Global Taskforce which includes partners in Australia, the United States, Canada, Italy and Interpol. According to the Telegraph, more than 140 social media websites make up the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), which backs this Internet safety strategy. As the CEOP reports, Bebo, which is considered the worst social network for cyber-bullying, already adopted the 'CEOP report' button. The button helped more than eight million of its members report online abuse.