The dangers posed to young people from the online world were discussed at a seminar held in Perth.
Delegates heard a parent’s personal experience with the problems of online gaming which proves addictive for some youngsters.
Other keynote presentations touched on what risks cyber-crime poses to children and what can be done to protect them and how accessing online pornography can impact on young people.
Popular apps and trends were also examined to let parents and professionals understand what they should know.
The safety seminar in Perth Playhouse was held to raise awareness about the current challenges of keeping children and young people safe online, and was aimed at parents and carers, professionals in social work, education and childcare, as well as members of the general public.
Getting It Right…Keeping Your Child Safe was organised by Perth and Kinross Council and partner agencies.
Key speakers included Detective Inspector Eamonn Keane of Police Scotland’s Cybercrime Unit, Lorin LaFave of the Breck Foundation, ethical hacking consultant Gerry Grant, Anne Darling of The Reward Foundation and Michael Conlon, the council’s digital learning and technology officer.
Chief Inspector Maggie Pettigrew, Police Scotland local area commander for Perth and Kinross who welcomed those who attended, said that while young people can and do benefit from technology it also presented “real challenges” for the wellbeing and safety of young people.
Lifelong learning convener, Councillor Bob Band said: “It is vital that parents, carers and professionals know about the online safety issues that can present risks for children and young people and through this annual seminar we aim to keep them informed and aware.
“I very much welcome the continued level of interest across the local community for the event and again hope it will have been a very useful day for all attendees.”
