ClarityWEB Article
UK Police urge Facebook users to add the Panic button
Police forces in the UK are urging Facebook users, and the parents of children who use Facebook, to add the newly introduced Panic button.
The UK has developed the new ClickCEOP button through the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre. Pressing the button gives any child between the age of 13 and 18 immediate access to the CEOP website.
The development comes after the tragic murder of 17 year old Ashleigh Hall, a Facebook user from Northeast England who was tricked into meeting a man she believed to be of her own age - but turned out to be 33 year old sex offender Peter Chapman.
The Panic button comes in the form of an application that users must install. Humberside and Sussex police forces have already communicated strong messages of recommendation with more forces following suit as the launch gathers publicity.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Kerman from Humberside Police is quoted as saying:
If you are a parent on Facebook, add the app and encourage your children to do so too. This will act as a visible deterrent to offenders and result in your child receiving regular online safety tips from CEOP, so you can feel reassured that they are better protected online
Spread the Word
Is it necessary?
Yes. Absolutely and it could not have come soon enough.
We are disappointed that the CEOP app needs installing and think it should have been introduced as a standard part of the registration process for minors. That said, progress is progress and it will hopefully be publicised sufficiently to prevent tragedy striking again.
If you are a parent of a child that uses Facebook we would strongly recommend that you visit the CEOP page and ensure your child has this app installed.
Full details can be found on the Facebook CEOP page.
We are pleased to see UK Police Forces backing the initiative and hopefully it will garner further media attention in the coming days.
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