At a Glance
- Essex Police relaunch their Sort Your Settings campaign
- New Online Safety Act 2023 strengthens protections for children
- Practical steps for parents buying new devices this Christmas
- Retailers across Essex being supported with in-store safety advice
- Updated guidance on gaming, social media, scams, and parental controls
Essex Police have relaunched their popular Sort Your Settings campaign, continuing their commitment to helping families stay safe online.
The initiative provides parents and guardians with practical, easy-to-follow advice to protect children from online risks – especially as digital purchases surge in the run-up to Christmas.
The Online Safety Act 2023 is now in force – a major milestone in making the digital world safer for children. This new law means platforms like social media, gaming sites, and search engines must step up by blocking harmful content, enforcing age checks, and giving parents better tools to keep kids safe online.
Secure New Devices Early
For parents, this is great news, with more support than ever before. But it also means taking action at home. With new devices on many wish lists, now’s the time to make sure those gadgets are set up securely. A few simple steps can make all the difference in protecting your child online.
Here are five quick ways to boost your child’s online safety:
Protect your identity
Don’t share personal information.Think before you post
Once it’s online, it’s no longer yours.Check your privacy settings
Make sure they’re up to date.Respect age ratings
Games and apps have them for a reason.Use parental controls
They’re your first line of defence.
The Sort Your Settings webpage at essex.police.uk has been refreshed to include up-to-date information about new and popular online games and social media platforms.
Know Device Safety Settings
There’s advice on all aspects of online safety, including how to access parental controls – including security settings on routers and popular smart devices like the echo dot and Google ‘Forget Me’ – as well as information about social media age restrictions, game age ratings, chat settings and tips on avoiding online scams and cyber threats.
The force’s Business Crime Team will continue visiting retailers across Essex, making sure parents have the know-how to keep kids safe online the moment those new gadgets leave the store. Look out for them in stores including Game, Currys, Smyths Toys, CEX, and mobile phone shops, where they will share simple tips to lock down devices right at the point of purchase.
Navigating Digital Risks Together
PC Glen Foote from the Business Crime Team says:
“With the Online Safety Act now enforcing stronger protections for children online, campaigns like Sort Your Settings are more vital than ever. They empower parents and carers with practical tools to navigate digital risks, apply age-appropriate safeguards, and make informed decisions that help keep young people safe in an increasingly complex online world.”
For more information you can search:
Essex Police Sort Your Settings
Keep up to date with the latest news from Essex Police on facebook.com/EPSouthend and @EPSouthend on Twitter.