Latest news with #HelenWesterman
Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Wales Online
Legal age parents can leave children alone as summer holidays approach and what NSPCC advises
Legal age parents can leave children alone as summer holidays approach and what NSPCC advises Parents may be wondering if their child is ready to stay at home alone or go out unsupervised this summer Many parents grapple with tough choices when it comes to their children, one of which is determining the appropriate age for their children to stay at home without adult supervision. During school holidays parents often find themselves needing to arrange child care. This could involve relying on family members or shelling out for holiday clubs but some parents might deem their child mature enough to stay at home alone. Whilst there's no legal age stipulated for when children can be left at home unsupervised it's illegal to leave a child alone if it puts them in danger. As we approach the summer holidays we checked guidance published by the NSPCC to assist parents in making informed decisions during the summer break. Helen Westerman, the NSPCC's head of local campaigns, said, "a child who doesn't feel comfortable shouldn't be left alone". She said this is why making a universal legal age is impractical as some children, albeit the same age, have different levels of maturity. Parents must also consider if it's safe for their children to play outside without supervision, reports the Liverpool Echo.. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Ms Westerman added: "Lots of parents will be thinking about whether it's safe to leave their children at home safely and if they're old enough to leave the house unsupervised. This can be a really tricky decision for parents and carers to make as it will differ from child to child. "As well as navigating if a child is ready to be left alone lots of parents will also find managing work alongside the school break really challenging, particularly in light of the soaring child costs and the cost of living crisis, which is putting additional pressure on families." Article continues below In 2022 Ms Westerman said the NSPCC had received more than 21,000 calls concerning children being unsupervised in the past four years with nearly half of these calls coming during the summertime. "As children get older it's common for them to want more freedom and learn to be independent. "This is an important part of growing up, but we know there can be a lot to think about for parents. As every child is different, we recommend building up their independence at their pace and checking in with them to make sure they feel safe." She provided advice for parents and carers considering leaving their children home alone or allowing them to go out unaccompanied during the summer. Are they ready to be left home alone? Parents should consider whether their child is prepared to handle being unsupervised, especially in the event of an emergency. Ms Westerman said: "Think about if they can deal with risks; will they behave responsibly, and will they be safe? And, perhaps most importantly, how does your child feel about this idea?" Take sensible precautions If you're contemplating the idea of your child staying at home alone make sure to take safety measures such as providing them with a spare set of keys and ensuring they can access food and the bathroom. Ms Westerman added: "Consider if there's anything that could hurt them and how you could reduce that risk." Never leave infants or little ones by themselves It is crucial that infants and very young children are never left on their own, irrespective of whether they seem peacefully asleep or are wide awake. Ms Westerman said: "Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period." The organisation also cautions against leaving minors under the age of 16 unsupervised overnight and reminded caregivers to think about whether a child has any special requirements before making the decision to leave them on their own or in the care of an older sibling. Be informed if they're going out without adult supervision Knowing where your child plans to go, what they'll be doing, who they'll be with, and how far they'll be travelling is essential when they venture out without adult oversight. Having this information is key for parents to "make the right decision". Ensure they know important contact numbers Ensure your child has a reliable means of contacting a parent or guardian and identify a trustworthy nearby adult to turn to in an emergency if they are staying home alone. Ms Westerman advised: "If they're going out alone make sure they know a trusted adult's full name and address and have two trusted adults' phone numbers." Discuss various scenarios with your child Have an open conversation with your child about potential situations they may encounter and how to stay safe. Ask them how they would react and how they think they would feel. Ms Westerman added: "If they're going to be home alone, for example, ask them what they'd do if they hurt themselves or if a stranger knocks on the door. "If they're going out alone you might want to ask them what they'd do if someone asks them to do something they're not comfortable with." Set clear boundaries Make sure your child is fully aware of the rules when they're unsupervised, whether at home or out alone, so both you and they understand how they should behave in your absence. Ms Westerman said: "It's a good idea to agree on some house or outside rules that suit their maturity before you leave them alone. Article continues below "Give your child a chance to build their independence by building your trust. If they adhere to rules and boundaries you set you'll feel more confident letting them do more on their own." If you have concerns about a child contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Almost half of children have been scammed online
Almost half of children have been scammed online, according to a study conducted for safer internet day. A survey of 2,000 young people aged eight to 17 found 46 per cent had been victims of online scams and nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) had lost money in the process. The most common frauds experienced by young people were fake giveaways, phishing and fake websites, followed by online shopping scams, including fake ticket sales, and so-called 'trust trades' in gaming. Almost a fifth of young people (18 per cent) knew someone their age who had lost money to an online scam, according to the poll for the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC). A quarter of those who have fallen victim (26 per cent) say they blamed themselves, increasing to 37 per cent of 17-year-olds. Almost half of young people (47 per cent) said they believed embarrassment was the main barrier to seeking help if they were scammed online. Will Gardner, the UKSIC director, said: 'This Safer Internet Day, we want to put the importance of protecting children from online scams on the agenda. 'For too long, young people have been overlooked, yet our research clearly demonstrates how much of an impact online scams can have on them.' Exposure to scams is a regular part of life online for young people, with 79 per cent coming across them at least once a month, almost half (45 per cent) at least once a week, and 20 per cent seeing scams online every day. Some 81 per cent of parents and carers and 43 per cent of teenagers believed online scams were getting more convincing, and around a third of young people (32 per cent) worried that the use of new technology, such as generative artificial intelligence, will make scams harder to identify. A separate study from Vodafone, also released for Safer Internet Day, suggested that approaching one million British children aged 11 to 16 have been scammed online in the last 12 months, with those aged 13 most likely to be affected. One fifth of these scams (22 per cent) are occurring on gaming platforms, while 78 per cent take place on social media platforms. Focus groups revealed that fraudsters were taking advantage of trusted platforms and the way they were designed to target young people, capitalising on their vulnerabilities, including financial insecurity, reliance on technology and social pressure. Young people said the most common scams were ads or quizzes which appeared to be from well-known brands but were in fact luring them into parting with personal information or buying fake products. The Vodafone study, which analysed the experiences of 2,000 parents and children, as well as more than 4,800 teachers, suggested that over 3,000 attempts are made to scam young people online every day. Helen Westerman, the campaigns manager at the NSPCC, said: 'These findings paint a deeply concerning picture of how online scams are affecting young people's wellbeing, with nearly a million children targeted in the past year alone. 'What's particularly worrying is that 60 per cent of young people don't know where to turn for help, often leaving them to deal with both financial losses and emotional trauma in silence.' Vodafone said it was currently blocking 1.7 million calls a day from known scammers. It is opening a 'Phish 'N' Tips' shop in central London on February 20 to offer families free expert advice to help spot online scams and deal with them. Anyone who has been scammed online should report it to Action Fraud or call 0300 123 2040 (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or report it to Police Scotland by calling 101 (in Scotland).
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Almost half of children have been scammed online, UK study finds
Almost half of children aged between eight and 17 have been scammed online – with a quarter blaming themselves, according to a report based on children in the UK. Exposure to scams is a regular part of life online for young people, with 79% coming across them at least once a month, almost half (45%) at least once a week, and 20% seeing scams online every day, according to research released by the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) to mark Safer Internet Day. A survey found 46% of young people have been scammed online and 9% – including eight-year-olds – have lost money in the process. Some 81% of parents and carers and 43% of teenagers believe that online scams are getting more convincing, and around a third of young people (32%) worry that the use of new technology, such as generative artificial intelligence, will make scams harder to identify. The most common scams experienced by young people are fake giveaways, phishing and fake websites, followed by online shopping scams, including fake ticket sales, and so-called 'trust trades' in gaming. Almost a fifth of young people (18%) know someone their age who has lost money to an online scam, the poll found. A quarter of those who have fallen victim (26%) say they blamed themselves, increasing to 37% of 17-year-olds. Almost half of young people (47%) said they believed that embarrassment was the main barrier to seeking help if they were scammed online. UKSIC director Will Gardner, said: 'This Safer Internet Day, we want to put the importance of protecting children from online scams on the agenda. 'For too long, young people have been overlooked, yet our research clearly demonstrates how much of an impact online scams can have on them.' A separate study from Vodafone, also released for Safer Internet Day, suggests that approaching one million British children aged 11 to 16 have been scammed online in the last 12 months, with those aged 13 most likely to be affected. One fifth of these scams (22%) are occurring on gaming platforms, while 78% take place on social media platforms. Focus groups revealed that fraudsters were taking advantage of trusted platforms and the way they were designed to target young people, capitalising on their vulnerabilities, including financial insecurity, reliance on technology and and social pressure. Young people said the most common scams were ads or quizzes which appeared to be from well-known brands but were in fact luring them into parting with personal information or buying fake products. The study, which analysed the experiences of 2,000 parents and children, as well as more than 4,800 teachers, suggests that over 3,000 attempts are made to scam young people online every day. Helen Westerman, campaigns manager at the NSPCC, said: 'These findings paint a deeply concerning picture of how online scams are affecting young people's wellbeing, with nearly a million children targeted in the past year alone. 'What's particularly worrying is that 60% of young people don't know where to turn for help, often leaving them to deal with both financial losses and emotional trauma in silence. 'The impact of these scams goes far beyond the immediate financial loss. We're seeing children experience anxiety, depression, and withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed. 'This is why it's crucial that parents and carers create an open dialogue about online safety with their children, ensuring young people feel they can come forward without fear of judgment if they've been targeted by scammers.' Nicki Lyons, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at Vodafone UK, said: 'The online world is part of everyday life, but young people can only make the most of this if they feel safe to do so. 'As our latest study shows, scams targeting young people on the platforms they use regularly are on the rise and becoming ever-more sophisticated, so it's important that calls to make the internet safer are heard.' Vodafone said it was currently blocking 1.7 million calls a day from known scammers.
