Online Safety

1. Definition

'Internet Abuse' relates to four main areas of abuse to children:

  • Sharing and production of abusive images of children (although these are not confined to the internet);
  • A child or young person being groomed online for the purpose of Sexual Abuse;
  • Exposure to pornographic images and other offensive material via the internet ; and
  • The use of the internet, and in particular social media sites, to engage children in extremist ideologies or to promote gang related violence.

The term digital (data carrying signals carrying electronic or optical pulses) and interactive (a message relates to other previous message/s and the relationship between them) technology covers a range of electronic tools. These are constantly being upgraded and their use has become more widespread as the internet can be accessed easily on mobile / smart phones, laptops, computers, tablets and games consoles.

Social networking sites are often used by perpetrators as an easy way to access children and young people for sexual abuse. In addition radical and extremist groups may use social networking to attract children and young people into rigid and narrow ideologies that are intolerant of diversity: this is similar to the grooming process and exploits the same vulnerabilities.

Internet abuse may also include cyber-bullying or online bullying (see Bullying). This is when a child is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child using the internet and/or mobile devices. In the case of online bullying it is possible for one victim to be bullied by many perpetrators. In any case of severe bullying it may be appropriate to consider the behaviour as child abuse by another young person.

Sexting is a term used when a person shares sexual, nude or semi-nude images or videos of themselves or others, or sends sexually explicit messages. They can be sent using mobiles, tablets, smartphones, laptops - any device that allows you to share media and messages.

Sexting can be seen as harmless, but creating or sharing explicit images of a child is illegal, even if the person doing it is a child. A young person is breaking the law if they:

  • Take an explicit photo or video of themselves or a friend;
  • Share an explicit image or video of a child, even if it's shared between children of the same age;
  • Possess, download or store an explicit image or video of a child, even if the child gave their permission for it to be created.

However, if a young person is found creating or sharing images, the police can choose to record that a crime has been committed but that taking formal action is not in the public interest. This reduces the stigma and distress for children and helps to minimise the long- term impact of the situation.

With effect from 29 June 2021, section 69 Domestic Abuse Act 2021 expanded so-called 'revenge porn' to include threats to disclose private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress.

The UK Council for Internet Safety recommends that any child or young person displaying harmful sexual behaviour should be safeguarded and supported in moving forward from the incident to adopt more positive behaviour patterns. Further support and resources on addressing harmful sexual behaviour in education settings can be found at the Contextual Safeguarding Network.

Whilst ensuring a prompt response to managing the criminal activity of young people who create and share nude and semi-nude images; the Isle of Man Constabulary align themselves to the following UK guidance: UK Council for Internet Safety (published December 2020) The guidance can be accessed online at the GOV.UK Website.

E-Safety is the generic term that refers to raising awareness about how children, young people and adults can protect themselves when using digital technology and in the online environment, and provides examples of interventions that can reduce the level of risk for children and young people.

The procedure relating to Organised and Complex Abuse should be borne in mind depending on the circumstances of the concerns.

2. Risks

There is some evidence from research that people found in possession of indecent images/pseudo images or films/videos of children may currently, or in the future become, involved directly in child abuse themselves.

In particular, an individual's access to children should be established during the assessment and Section 46 investigation to consider the possibility that they may be actively involved in the abuse of children including those within the family, within employment contexts or in other settings such as voluntary work with children or other positions of trust.

Any indecent, obscene image involving a child has, by its very nature, involved a person, who in creating that image, has been party to abusing that child.

3. Indicators

Often issues involving child abuse come to light through an accidental discovery of images on a computer or other device and can seem to emerge 'out of the blue' from an otherwise trusted and non-suspicious individual. This in itself can make accepting the fact of the abuse difficult for those who know and may have trusted that individual. Partners, colleagues and friends often find it very difficult to believe and may require support.

The initial indicators of child abuse are likely to be changes in behaviour and mood of the child victim. Clearly such changes can also be attributed to many innocent events in a child's life and cannot be regarded as diagnostic. However, changes to a child's circle of friends or a noticeable change in attitude towards the use of computer or phone could have their origin in abusive behaviour. Similarly, a change in their friends or not wanting to be alone with a particular person may be a sign that something is upsetting them.

Children often show us rather than tell us that something is upsetting them. There may be many reasons for changes in their behaviour, but if we notice a combination of worrying signs it may be time to call for help or advice.

4. Protection and Action to be Taken

Accessing or Creating Indecent Images

Where there is suspected or actual evidence of anyone accessing or creating indecent images of children, this must be shared with the Isle of Man Constabulary in the first instance as a result of a criminal offence being committed or potentially being committed.

A referral will only be made by the Isle of Man Constabulary to the Initial Response Team, Children and Families Division if it was indicated that there was a child at the address of the person suspected or where there is actual evidence of anyone accessing or creating indecent images of children.

Online Grooming

Where there are concerns about a child being groomed, exposed to pornographic material or contacted by someone inappropriately, via the internet or other ICT tools like a mobile phone, referrals should be made to the Police who will decide based on the information that they receive whether a referral shall be made to the Initial Response Team, Children and Families Division in accordance with the Referrals Procedure.

The Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2020 introduces an offence of 'sexual communication with a child'. This applies to an adult, who communicates with a child and where the communication is sexual or, if it is intended to elicit from the child a communication, which is sexual and the adult reasonably believes the child to be under 16 years of age. The Act also amended The Sexual Offences Act 1992 so it is now an offence for an adult to arrange to meet with someone under 16 having communicated with them on just one occasion, previously it was on at least two occasions.

All such reports should be taken seriously. Referrals should usually lead to a Strategy Discussion to determine the course of further investigation, enquiry and assessment. Any intervention should be continually under review especially if further evidence comes to light.

Due to the nature of this type of abuse and the possibility of the destruction of evidence, the referrer should discuss their concerns with the Initial Response Team, Children and Families Division who will then contact the police before raising the matter with the family. This will enable a joint decision to be made about informing the family and ensuring that the child's welfare is safeguarded.

Extremist Material/Radicalisation

Radicalisation is where a person supports terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups. Current threats from terrorism and extremism can involve the exploitation of vulnerable people including children and young people. This can include involving them in extremist activity.

Where there are concerns in relation to a child's exposure to extremist materials, the child's school may be able to provide advice and support: all schools are required to identify a Prevent Single Point of Contact (SPOC) who is the lead for safeguarding in relation to protecting individuals from radicalisation and involvement in terrorism.

Suspected online terrorist material must be reported to the Isle of Man Constabulary Intelligence Special Branch Unit who work with and are supported by the PREVENT teams in the UK.

5. Issues

When communicating via the internet, young people tend to become less wary and talk about things far more openly than they might when communicating face to face.

Both male and female adults and some young people may use the internet to harm children. Some do this by looking at, taking and/or distributing photographs and video images on the internet of children naked, in sexual poses and/or being sexually abused.

Children and young people should be supported to understand that when they use digital technology, they should not give out personal information, particularly their name, address or school, or mobile phone numbers to anyone they do not know or trust. This particularly includes social networking and online gaming sites. If they have been asked for such information, they should always check with their parent or other trusted adult before providing such details. It is also important that they understand why they must take a parent or trusted adult with them if they meet someone face to face whom they have only previously met on-line.

Children and young people should be warned about the risks of taking sexually explicit pictures of themselves and sharing them on the internet or by text. It is essential, therefore, that young people understand the legal implications and the risks they are taking. The initial risk posed by sexting may come from peers, friends and others in their social network who may share the images. However, once an image has been sent, it can then be shared with others or posted online.

There is training made available by the Department of Education across the island for staff working within schools who have access to the Safer Schools App. This provides CPD training on a range of subjects such as 'Youth Produced Imagery', 'Sexting' and 'Criminal Exploitation'.

In some cases adults may also groom a young person into sending such images which can then be used to blackmail and ensnare them.

Further Information

It should be noted that the signposting within this document is mostly UK agencies and charities and whilst it cannot be rectified easily the seriousness of online abuse is evident despite there being limited support on the island.

Behaviour that is illegal if committed offline is also illegal if committed online. It is recommended that legal advice is sought in the event of an online issue or situation. There are a number of pieces of legislation that may apply including:

Communications Act 2021

Sending by means of the internet a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or sending a false message by means of or persistently making use of the Internet for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety is guilty of an offence liable, on conviction, to imprisonment. This wording is important because an offence is complete as soon as the message has been sent: there is no need to prove any intent or purpose.

Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2020 (see end note*)

It is an offence to take, permit to be taken, make, possess, show, distribute or advertise indecent images of children in the Isle of Man. A child for these purposes is anyone under the age of 18. Viewing an indecent image of a child on your computer means that you have made a digital image. An image of a child also covers pseudo-photographs (digitally collated or otherwise). A person convicted of such an offence may face up to 10 years in prison.

The offence of grooming is committed if you are over 18 and have communicated with a child under 16 on one occasion (including by phone or using the Internet) it is an offence to meet them or travel to meet them anywhere in the world with the intention of committing a sexual offence. Causing a child under 16 to watch a sexual act is illegal, including looking at images such as videos, photos or webcams, for your own gratification. It is also an offence for a person in a position of trust to engage in sexual activity with any person under 18, with whom they are in a position of trust. (Typically, teachers, social workers, health professionals, connexions staff fall in this category of trust). Any sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 13 commits the offence of rape.

The Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2020 (see end note*) introduces a new offence of sexual communication with a child. This would criminalise an adult who communicates with a child for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, where the communication is sexual or if it is intended to elicit from the child a communication which is sexual and the adult reasonably believes the child to be under 16.

* Sexual Offences and Obscene Publications Act 2020 – This Act has received Royal Assent but there is no legislation underpinning the Act which means the Act will not be brought into force until such time as the secondary legislation has been written and approved, likely to be Autumn 2022