AS SCHOOLS break up for half-term, children are set to spend more time socialising and gaming online but could be at risk of cyberbullying or accessing inappropriate content. 

As part of a joint initiative between the NSPCC and O2, parents can now get online safety advice at their local O2 shops in Weymouth as well as Bournemouth and Poole, from a specially trained advisor – known as an O2 Guru.

During the pre-booked session, the NSPCC-trained O2 Guru can explain how to set up parental controls on phones, tablets and PCs, as well as how to make devices safer for children to use. 

Nationally, the NSPCC’s Childline service has seen a 60 per cent year on year increase in the number of counselling sessions where children have reported feeling worried after seeing adult content online. 

Since August 2015 the NSPCC and O2 have been working together to help families enjoy the best of the digital world safely and with confidence.

Together the two organisations have launched a range of free resources to help parents get to grips with their child’s online world, including Online Safety Helpline, Net-Aware.org.uk and Share Aware.

Jane Houghton, head of the Online Safety Helpline for O2, said: “Parental controls may sound dull, but it is one of the simplest things you can do to ensure your child is accessing appropriate content only."

Julia Fossi, head of child online safety at the NSPCC, added: “Keeping children safe online is the biggest child protection challenge of this generation. 

“Technology is changing all the time and it can be hard to keep up to date with the latest games, sites and apps but it’s important to take on the challenge and treat it like any other parenting task. 

“Thanks to the NSPCC and O2 partnership help is at hand but talking to your child regularly and being part of their online world is the best way to help keep them safe.”

Appointments can be booked in advance by visiting guru.force.com/O2DeskStoreLocator

Parents can get online safety advice from nspcc.org.uk, or by calling the free helpline on 0808 800 5002. 

Children and young people can contact Childline anytime on 0800 1111 or access help online at childline.org.uk