Safeguarding Update for Parents
Mobile phones
Most young people at CSG have a mobile phone, which should not be out during the school day but if you wish to support your child with safer screen time. Oursafetycentre.co.uk has produced a helpful section on their website https://oursafetycentre.co.uk/first-phone/
Online concerns
What is ‘chroming’? The term ‘chroming’ refers to a recent drug trend in which individuals inhale the fumes of intoxicants such as aerosols, paint, or solvents to experience a high. The name came from the original act of sniffing chrome-based paint. Although using inhalants isn’t new, recent social media trends are adding a new dimension of peer pressure through the ‘TikTok Challenge’.
The challenge, also known as ‘WhipTok’ has sparked renewed interest among teenagers, who are being encouraged to try this dangerous practice.
Chroming can take several forms:
• Sniffing: Inhaling vapours directly from a container, such as a nail polish remover bottle.
• Bagging: Inhaling vapours, like air freshener spray, directly from a plastic or paper bag.
• Huffing: Inhaling petrol, lighter fluid, or other vapours soaked into fabric.
Products used in chroming, like spray paint bottles and markers, are easy to purchase and don’t have the same restrictions of some drugs or age limitations like alcohol. They are also unlikely to draw attention from teachers, parents, caregivers, or the police.
Why is it dangerous? As well as the short-term effects typical of substance abuse, experts have warned that ‘chroming’ can lead to long term brain damage and also damage to internal organs.
Reporting inappropriate material online
Need to report inappropriate material your child might have accessed? Please do so here: https://oursafetycentre.co.uk/report/
Steps you can take to help your child stay safe online
- Have a regular conversation: Continue to talk about the apps, games, and sites they like to use, and what they like and don’t like and any concerns about being online. Discuss with them when to unfollow, block or report. The NSPCC have a very good guide on how to have difficult conversations with your child:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/talking-about-difficult-topics/
- Know where to go for support: Remind your child they can always speak to you or another adult they trust if anything happens online that makes them feel worried or upset. Remind them that they won’t be in trouble and that you are there to help. For a breakdown of report services, visit: Supporting your child with reporting unwanted content online Make sure they know about NCA CEOP: Young people can report a concern about grooming or sexual abuse to NCA CEOP at https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/ and get support from a specialist Child Protection Advisor.