The UK’s Online Safety Bill has been in the pipeline for a number of years now, and is currently being considered by the House of Lords. The proposed bill has caused a lot of controversy due to its broad ambitions and a perceived threat to people’s privacy.

But it’s been welcomed in some quarters, and in particular by children’s charities like the NSPCC, who say that it’s needed to tackle grooming and child sexual abuse online. Indeed, the NSPCC says such measures are long overdue and that over 3,500 online sex crimes are likely happening each month that the bill is delayed.

How does online grooming happen, and who are the typical targets ? Does this only happen online? How can you identify a child victim ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here :

What happens to your online life after you die?

What is PimEyes, the powerful tool ending online anonymity?

What are lolcows, the unwitting targets of online bullies?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance

First broadcast: 31/07/2023

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