Child Online Protection
The benefits and risks of the internet, and how children, parents and schools can stay safe online.
The internet: opportunity and risk
The internet helps children learn, create, connect with friends and explore the world. But it also brings risks that children need help to understand and manage.
Online risks
Cyberbullying
Hurtful messages, embarrassing posts, or exclusion from online groups. Cyberbullying can follow a child home and reach a wide audience quickly.
Grooming and online predators
Grooming is when someone builds a relationship with a child online — often pretending to be younger or a friend — in order to abuse or exploit them. Warning signs include requests for secrecy, gifts, private photos, or meeting in person.
Online sexual exploitation
Pressuring or tricking a child into sharing sexual images or videos, or sharing such material, is abuse and a crime.
Privacy
Sharing personal information such as home address, school, phone number or location can put children at risk.
Safe online behaviour for children
- Keep personal information private.
- Never agree to meet someone you only know online without a trusted adult.
- Do not share photos you would not want everyone to see.
- If something online makes you feel uncomfortable, stop, and tell a trusted adult.
- Block and report people who make you feel unsafe.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Talk with children about what they do online, without judgement.
- Use privacy settings and age-appropriate apps.
- Keep devices in shared spaces for younger children.
- Learn the platforms children use.
Reporting
Report online abuse to the platform where it happened and to the Ghana Police Service. Keep evidence such as screenshots, but never share sexual images of a child — even to report them.
Historical study statistics from the original article have been withheld pending source verification.