In Issue 4 of the 3PO Briefing Series, How Children of Police Officers Keep Safe Online, Dr Lasara Kariyawasam and Dr Katrin Mueller-Johnson from the University of Oxford address the unique challenges faced by children of police officers due to their parents' profession and the negative views held towards law enforcement. Here is a summary of the recommendations:
- Police officers with children should be aware that their children may be targeted with negative messages online or on gaming platforms due to their parents' profession.
- Police officers should engage in early conversations with their children about social media and potential online harms. This should include practical advice on settings and privacy measures.
- Police officers should consciously consider the appropriate age to grant their children access to smartphones and social media. Delaying access until a slightly older age may be beneficial.
These recommendations emphasise the importance of parents' proactive involvement in their children's online safety and the need to address the unique challenges faced by children of police officers in the digital age.
You can download the 3PO How Children of Police Officers Keep Safe Online Briefing Paper below.