Facebook adds child protection application

Facebook users can now have direct access to internet safety advice.

The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) have developed an application (especially aimed at 13-18 year-olds) that can be downloaded to users profiles to report instances of suspected grooming or inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Once downloaded, the ClickCEOP button will appear on users homepages providing a constant source of help and reassurance to them but also as a strong visual signal to their friends, family and others that they are in control online.

All teenage users will also be targetted through an advert-message on their homepage encouraging them to download the application.

Although the application is not mandatory, Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of CEOP said: "By adding this application, Facebook users will have direct access to all the services that sit behind our ClickCEOP button which should provide reassurance to every parent with teenagers on the site.

We know from speaking to offenders that a visible deterrent could protect young people online. We urge all Facebook users to add the app and bookmark it so that others can see that they're in control online".

Joanna Shields, Facebook's Vice President for Europe said: "Nothing is more important than the safety of our users, which is why we have invested so much in making Facebook one of the safest places on the internet. There is no single silver bullet to making the Internet safer but by joining forces with CEOP we have developed a comprehensive solution which marries our expertise in technology with CEOP's expertise in online safety.

Together we have developed a new way of helping young people stay safe online and backed this with an awareness campaign to publicise it to young users. It is only through the constant and concerted effort of the industry, police, parents and young people themselves that we can all keep safe online, whether on Facebook or elsewhere."