Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend, has welcomed the child ‘sexting’ advice campaign from the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command, a branch of National Crime Agency (NCA).

 Mrs Overend, the Ulster Unionist Spokesperson for Children and Young People, said:

 “The ‘Think U Know’ child sexting advice campaign is another important and welcome advance in the ever-developing and constantly challenging area of online protection for children. The new website is another tool in the armoury for parents and teachers, but more importantly, it is also aimed at children themselves. It is designed to ensure that they too are aware of not only online dangers, but have access to constructive advice on the matter. Information on the campaign can be found at http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/, and I would encourage everyone to visit the website to make themselves familiar with the information it makes available.

 “Not enough is being done to protect children online, and the Northern Ireland Executive has been dragging their feet on the issue for too long. For over two years I have been lobbying the First and deputy First Minister to ask them bring forward a cross-departmental online safety strategy. Despite a number of platitudes and sound bites from OFMdFM, no action has been taken. This is simply unacceptable. Recent events in Mid-Ulster present clear – if tragic – reminders of online dangers, with the most heart-breaking of consequences.

 “It is vital that OFMdFM acts immediately to take the lead in bringing forward an online safety strategy, to ensure that children throughout Northern Ireland are given the fullest possible protection when using the internet.”