SETTING up parental controls and reporting abusive messages are just two ways to help keep children safe on the internet.

That is the advice from Avon and Somerset Police as part of a campaign for Safer Internet Day.

The annual campaign focuses on raising awareness of cyber bullying, issues around sexting and what parents and carers can do to protect children and young people Recent studies have shown that: o 42% of cybercrime cases involving victims under 16- years-old reported to Avon and Somerset Police included malicious communications.

o Under 16s in Avon and Somerset are at higher risk of cybercrime when using Facebook.

o 65% of children often go online without any parental supervision Chief Superintendent Sue Scott said: “Online sites, apps, games and social media are part of daily life for children and young people, which offer exciting learning and social opportunities.

“However, we need to keep in mind that the world online is the same as the real world and there are risks we need to be aware of.

“We want to promote positive and safe use of digital technology and keep up-to-date of the ever-changing online world.

“Anyone who uses the internet either socially or for shopping, banking or other business uses needs to know how to keep themselves safe.

“Approach the internet the way you would perhaps approach walking down a crowded street – you wouldn’t expose yourself literally, physically nor in terms of financial or personal information to strangers, so in general terms – apply that to the internet.

“Just consider what you are sharing and who you are sharing it with.

“Surveys from cyberbullying.

com show that more than half of children go online without any parental supervision.

38% of young people have been affected by cyberbullying while 15% of mobile-owning teens say that they have received sexually suggestive and naked images of someone they know via text.

“Talking to your children about these issues and encouraging them to be cyber-savvy is more important than ever and there are simple steps that they can take to keep themselves safe.

“We have launched our own microsite to give young people advice and information on a range of issues – burnttoast.

org.uk.”