FAQs Creating a social media site for children

I’m creating a social networking website aimed at young people, how can I make it safer for them to use?

NCI liaise closely with industry to ensure that companies safeguarding of children is considered across the content within their products and websites.  As Microsoft Gold Partners, NCI can directly input into Bing, Yahoo and the Microsoft team to address any issues promptly. 

When featuring social networking in a website’s design it is particularly important to include the following features:

(as advised by The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre)

• All default privacy settings should be closed so that the individual can choose who they share their personal information with i.e. ‘share with friends only’
• Empower users by providing them with a reporting mechanism for reporting problems encountered on the site.
• Provide an engaging and responsive safety centre with online safety tips and a reporting mechanism which is responded to appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Ensure that tips about children and young people’s online safety are included during the registration process, and consider embedding an awareness raising film to help in the delivery of these messages 
• For example, CEOP's great film aimed at teenagers. 'First to a Million, you choose what happens'