What is the Dark Web? The dark web is the name given to websites that cannot be accessed on the open internet or searched for through traditional browsers or search engines such as Google. The Dark Web websites are encrypted and can only be accessed using specific software the most common being known as Tor (The Onion Router) software. Tor software conceals a user’s activity, which means users are able to browse the internet and dark web without being identified or having your activity tracked.

Who uses the Dark Web? Anyone can use the Dark Web providing you have the software to do so. The majority of us stick to the open internet that where all familiar with, but those seeking extra levels of anonymity and privacy may choose to use the Dark Web. Sadly the Dark Web also attracts those wanting to remain anonymous for criminal and more sinister motives. There are plenty of examples, stories and cases of the Dark Web being used for buying and selling illegal drugs, stolen credit card details and the distribution of violent and sexually explicit material including child pornography. Goods are traded on Dark Web markets using cryptocurrencies (bitcoins). Users also report of being conned and ripped off on the Dark Web losing their money and not receiving the goods they paid for as criminal gangs find the added security and anonymity of the Dark Web enables them to operate without detection. Governments around the world are now clamping down on illegal activity on the Dark Web. Law enforcement around the world are monitoring and developing tools to catch and prosecute people as well as close sites within the Dark Web down. Sometimes people refer to the Dark Web to as the Deep Web, however these are very different. The Deep Web is the part of the internet that contains all the information that cannot be indexed or searched for such as databases, passwords and account information etc.

Children and Young People on the Dark Web: We have had a number of calls and emails from schools asking us about the Dark Web. We tend to get asked after pupils in schools have talked about using the Dark Web triggering concerns around what they are doing on it or exposed to. More often than not when investigated it turns out pupils are not using the Dark Web their just sharing stories of what they think goes on. These stories are often a result of videos they have watched on YouTube or from reading discussion boards on websites such as Reddit. A number of horror movies have been released over the years in which people are tortured and killed on the Dark Web while people watch. These movies have led to a number of stories being shared that these things are real. Stories about pay per view Red Rooms in which you can watch live murders or rapes are often spoke about when people talk about the Dark Web but there is no evidence that these exist and are nothing more than urban legends. What we need to do when we hear children and young people discussing the Dark Web or asking us questions is to provide them with information that challenges their understanding. We also need to make sure that are aware of the risks and dangers of using the Dark Web.

Please follow the link for more information on the recent article and video interview with Jesse Nelson on online abuse and bullying:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/919c481a-882c-44d7-826f-5e6a25537543

‘Sadshing’ is described as a behavioural trend where people make exaggerated claims about their emotional problems to generate sympathy and attention. The term was created at the beginning of the year by a blogger using the term to describe certain celebrities who embellish their emotional diculties to generate sympathy and gain more followers. The term has now gained traction and is seen as a growing trend on social media. The challenge with sadshing is that sometimes real problems can become overlooked or young people can even be bullied for having shared their problems online.

For more information please read more at the link below:

https://2j39y52a62gm1afygb3g1xbu-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sadfishing.pdf

https://2j39y52a62gm1afygb3g1xbu-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/11-14-Suggested-Apps.pdf

Please follow the links below to access the parent guides for both games:

https://2j39y52a62gm1afygb3g1xbu-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fortnite-Chapter-2.pdf

https://2j39y52a62gm1afygb3g1xbu-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/FIFA-20-Guide-1.pdf

Plans to introduce a nationwide age verification system for online pornography have been abandoned by the government after years of technical troubles and concerns from privacy campaigners.

The climbdown follows countless difficulties with implementing the policy, which would have required all pornography websites to ensure users were over 18. Methods would have included checking credit cards or allowing people to buy a “porn pass” age verification document from a newsagent.

Websites that refused to comply with the policy – one of the first of its kind in the world – faced being blocked by internet service providers or having their access to payment services restricted.

This is all very worrying with children and young people being able to access inappropriate content for their age range with ease online. To read more please see follow the link to the guardian article below:

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/oct/16/uk-drops-plans-for-online-pornography-age-verification-system?CMP=fb_a-technology_b-gdntech

The article below delves into how easily gamers can get sucked into the gambling world.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-49941610

Social media can’t work without users connecting with each other. But sometimes accumulating more friends and followers doesn’t always live up to its expectations and it’s important for parents to be aware of the pitfalls which can come with a child’s desire to be seen a popular.

Created by experienced writer Pete Badh, this guide takes a look at how gaining and losing friends and followers can shape your child’s behaviour online and how you can help manage the social pressures that the desire to be seen as popular can bring.  Please access the parents guide below:

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Online gaming is now not only a major industry, it accounts for an increasing amount of time some children now spend online. Understanding the appeal as well as the risks of various games is the best way to spark any discussions you need to have about online safety and gaming health. That’s why we have created a new free guide to Fortnite, the most popular online game in the world.

There’s a very good chance you’ve heard of Fortnite, but what exactly is it? Why is it so popular amongst young people? And how can you help children and teens stay safe during gameplay? Find out with this new guide. Created by gaming journalist Mark Foster, this guide looks at the game’s features, potential costs via “V Bucks”, how long games take to run and how you can understand the signs of addiction. Click the button below to access your free guide now.

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