New Zealand Police are urging parents and caregivers to be alert to the potential online risks children and young people face.

Today marks Safer Internet Day, a global initiative promoting safe and positive online user experiences.

To ensure a collaborative approach to internet safety, police work with partner agencies such as the Department of Internal Affairs, Netsafe, and New Zealand Customs.

Detective Senior Sergeant Kepal Richards, an officer in charge of the New Zealand Police Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand Team (Oceanz), said supervising children and young people online is the most effective way to protect them from harm.

The internet opens up a world of opportunity, but there are offenders online looking to exploit people and they target the most vulnerable, Richards said.

“In the worst-case scenario, we see online extortion groups trying to persuade children and young people to record self-harm and sexually explicit acts alongside other violent crimes.”

The footage is then circulated among members of the extortion group to gain notoriety and further extort victims, he said.

“Offenders may also threaten to share these videos or images online or with the victim’s family and friends.

“While we’re not seeing a large number of this offending here in New Zealand at this time, we know this is having a significant impact overseas.”

Parents should be aware of potential online risks without being fearful. Richards said the police encourage open discussions about online safety between parents and children.

“Having open and regular conversations is the most important tip we can give any parent or caregiver,” Richards said.

“This ensures their children feel comfortable coming forward about any online issues that may arise.”