The all encompassing social networking site Facebook has agreed to use an application which should help protect the online safety of the younger userbase, according to a Reuters report.
This application will appear on a user profile page when they add/bookmark it and it will allow children to report suspicious behaviour. This campaign was put in place by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and it will also aim to offer advice and support to help children stay safe online.
“We know from speaking to offenders that a visible deterrent could protect young people online,” said Jim Gamble, chief executive of CEOP. In a clever move, the automatic message will appear on the Facebook homepage of all teenage and underage users which asks them if they wish to install the application.
Facebook has been under mounting pressure lately, especially after the high profile case of 17 year Ashleigh Hall, who was kidnapped then raped and murdered by a man who was pretending to be a teenager she met on Facebook.
Joanna Shields, Facebook's vice president for Europe said “Together we have developed a new way of helping young people stay safe online.”
KitGuru says: Do you use Facebook, are you a worried parent? Does this give you some peace of mind? Discuss in our forums.
My daughter saw this popup yesterday and didnt install it as she thought it was spam, I told her never to install things from popups ! I sorted it out. but I think they should automatically deliver it to people.