The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre has joined forces with Facebook in the UK to launch a new internet safety initiative.

Young Facebook users across the UK – those aged between 13 and 18 – can have direct access to CEOP’s advice and reporting centre from their Facebook homepage.

The move aims to give users up-to-date advice about online safety as well as the option to report suspected grooming or inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Access to the ClickCEOP button will be provided via an application that users can add to their profiles.

Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of CEOP, said, “Our dialogue with Facebook about adopting the ClickCEOP button is well documented. Today however is a good day for child protection. We know from speaking to offenders that a visible deterrent could protect young people online. We urge all Facebook users to add the app and bookmark it so that others can see that they’re in control online."

Joanna Shields, Facebook’s Vice President for EMEA, added, “There is no single silver bullet to making the internet safer but by joining forces with CEOP we have developed a comprehensive solution which marries our expertise in technology with CEOP’s expertise in online safety. 

“It is only through the constant and concerted effort of the industry, police, parents and young people themselves that we can all keep safe online – whether on Facebook or elsewhere.”

Would you welcome the introduction of a similar scheme from Facebook New Zealand?