Nspcc App Added To All Force Mobile Phones

Nspcc App Added To All Force Mobile Phones


Friday 29th Mar 2024


All mobile phones used by North Wales Police now contain a new app to help with awareness of the latest social media and games being used by young people.

The app is called Net Aware which has been developed by the NSPCC to provide guidance on the various social media apps and games and the risks they may present in terms of children using them. This guidance will be accessible to officers when dealing with investigations relating to online grooming or bullying, especially when relating to some of the lesser known apps.

Net Aware logo

PCSO Danni Power, who is behind the installation of the app, said: “North Wales Police need to be able to stay up to date with the apps and games that young people are using to be able to identify the risks and safeguard them from potential exploitation through these devices.

“By promoting the use of this app, we will be able to quickly gain information about the latest platforms being used and provide advice and guidance to parents and carers to spot and prevent incidents of CSE.”

The Net Aware app provides a quick and easy reference for officers to identify what an app is called and how it works, such as being able to message other users or share locations. They can do this when investigating an incident, at the time an incident is reported, rather than having to return to a station to investigate further, which could potentially delay a process from taking place.

This app will also enable officers to provide quick advice and guidance for parents and carers. The app is free and easy to download, giving parents more control to determine whether they are satisfied that the app or game is suitable for their children to use. There is also advice of any potential dangers when using the app, so that safety measures can also be put in place.

The app has 4 sections including most popular, an A-Z list, an easy search and also a news section which provides recent and informative information about new or potentially dangerous apps or games which have been created/released.

North Wales Police Onyx Team is a dedicated team dealing with Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). CSE is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group manipulates or deceives a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity. CSE does not always involve physical contact, it can also occur through the use of technology.