Film warns of internet clip danger

Nov 2 2012

A film has been created to warn young people about the dangers of uploading sexual content to the internet.

First To A Million is an interactive video produced by the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (Ceop) and will be launched at Cumbernauld High School.

The film, aimed at 13 to 18-year-olds, shows a group of teenagers competing to gain one million views of their clips as they produce increasingly outrageous videos which feature ill-fated pranks and sexual material.

Police say that they seize images and videos of this nature from child sex offenders. Around nine in 10 (88%) sexually explicit images and videos of young people are taken from their original online location and copied to other websites, according to Ceop.

A quarter of young people ignore the problem of online risk and only 15% of young people report concerns regarding sexual content, it said.

Jonathan Baggaley, head of education at Ceop, said: "Pictures and videos can now be shared online in an instant and even on the move by young people. It's very easy to upload something you'll regret later without thinking and run into all sorts of problems.

"We know that young people in these situations often don't know where to turn for help when things have gone wrong. It's important they don't feel isolated or alone when this happens."

Detective Chief Inspector Norrie Conway, of Strathclyde Police's public protection unit, said: "The issues that First To A Million raise are pertinent to every child in Scotland and we are delighted that Ceop is coming to Glasgow to let schools and young people know about what they can do to protect themselves online and help them consider what they share."

Children and Young People Minister Aileen Campbell said: "It's reassuring to see Ceop visiting Cumbernauld High School to highlight the important messages in First To A Million, especially those around knowing what to do and where to go if something goes wrong online. I'd encourage schools right across Scotland to show First To A Million as a great way of promoting online safety among their pupils."

Local Ceop ambassadors and Strathclyde Police representatives will be blogging and tweeting to highlight young people's experiences and stories. The film is available to view through the Ceop YouTube channel.