Online Risk to Children

Online Risk to Children brings together the most up-to-date theory, policy, and best practices for online child protection and abuse prevention. The Internet has become an integral part of everyday life at home, at work, at school and within peer groups, bringing huge benefits for all. Yet while most children use the Internet positively, the rapid pace of development challenges the safeguarding process. Parents are wary of what their children may be exposed to, yet at the same time unsure how to protect them. Risks associated with the Internet range from exposure to inappropriate content and cyberbullying to grooming and even identify theft. With most children no longer perceiving a divide between life online and offline, there is an urgent need to address this issue in a structured and evidence-based way. This edited book gathers contributions from a range of leading thinkers, researchers and practitioners in a definitive resource for anyone interested in online risk, child protection, and treatment of victims and offenders. Online Risk to Children brings together the most up-to-date theory, policy, and best practices for online child protection and abuse prevention. Moves beyond offender assessment and treatment to discuss the impact of online abuse on children themselves, and the risks and vulnerabilities inherent in their constantly connected lives Global in scope, setting contributions from leading researchers and practitioners in the UK in international context via chapters from Australia, the USA and Europe. Key topics covered include cyberbullying, peer-oriented abuse, victim treatment approaches, international law enforcement strategies, policy responses, and the role of schools and industry