Online child safety campaign rolled out to schools

An online child safety campaign aimed at raising awareness of the online harms that exist for children and young people has been rolled out to schools across the county.

A package of resources, including a training deck for teachers and professionals as well as lesson support packs for primary and secondary schools has been distributed.

The resources are part of ongoing work supporting an online child safety campaign that was launched by Northamptonshire Police in July 2026.

The campaign included the release of a one-minute video to raise awareness of the harm that young children can be exposed to while online, and encourages parents to have conversations with their children, while setting appropriate online and device restrictions to help protect them.

Between June 2024 to May 2026, a total of 3,091 online crimes were reported to Northamptonshire Police where the victim was under 18.

Teenage children were identified as being most at risk of harm, with those aged 13 to 15 accounting for almost 40 per cent of all online child offences.

Northamptonshire Police have worked with West and North Northamptonshire Council’s safeguarding leads to develop the training packs for schools.

Professionals will be able to navigate through the resources in order to gain a better understanding of what being online means for young people in today’s world, how they navigate online activity, the harms that children can be exposed to and how they can promote digital literacy, open conversations and where and how to seek support.

Content is also designed to be used by professionals in classrooms or groups settings to help open conversations and engagement with young people on the topic of online behaviours as well as to be shared with parents and carers.

Detective Superintendent Jen Castle, Head of Child Safeguarding at Northamptonshire Police, said: “Online life for young people today is so different to what some of us parents will know or be aware of. And while there are so many benefits to how young people navigate the online world to learn, play and explore, unfortunately there are also some risks and harms that exist in those spaces too.

“This campaign and the work with the schools’ resources, is another step towards supporting better understanding for professionals, parents and carers and young people, in how to stay safe online, make use of the protections that exist and start conversations that will help young people feel safe.”

According to OFCOM research, algorithms drive content exposure. About 35 per cent of children report seeing potentially harmful or inappropriate content simply by scrolling through their feeds.

More than half of children (56 per cent) use AI tools, with some using them for companionship. However, many struggle to distinguish between different AI tools or question their accuracy.

Speaking about what parents can do, Detective Superintendent Castle, said: “Spotting the signs provide parents with an opportunity to intervene and support.

“But most importantly, we must listen to young people and talk to them about their online lives — openly, without judgement — creating environments where they feel safe to share what they are experiencing. Because if we don’t, others will fill that space.”

Councillor Michael Stratton, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at West Northamptonshire Council, said: “Keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility, and that includes helping them to navigate the online world safely.

“The reality is that many young people spend a significant part of their lives online, and while this brings many benefits, we know there are also risks. These new resources will help schools, parents and carers have informed conversations with children about their digital lives, helping them feel supported, understood and kept safe online.

“I am pleased that West Northamptonshire Council has worked alongside Northamptonshire Police and partners to develop this package of support, ensuring that professionals have the knowledge and confidence to help protect young people from online harm.”

More information on the campaign can be found here: www.northants.police.uk/eyeswideopen