Important Advice for Parents: Online Safety & Social Media Awareness

Dear Eastcote Parents and Carers,

We wanted to gently draw your attention to an important online safety issue, particularly for families with young or impressionable children.

BBC News has recently reported on a disturbing case where a child was groomed through the online gaming platform Roblox, a service many children use and which is often seen as safe and age‑appropriate. The individual involved initially contacted the child through the game, built trust over time, and then encouraged communication to move onto private messaging platforms outside the game environment. 

While cases like this are rare, they are a timely reminder that online spaces can carry real-world risks, even on platforms designed for children.

What Parents & Carers Can Do

Below are some practical steps to help protect children online:

🛡️ Supervise & Set Boundaries

🔐 Use Parental Controls

👂 Talk Openly and Often

🚩 Know the Warning Signs

Watch for changes such as:

📢 Report Concerns Early

A Reassuring Note

Online games and social platforms can be fun, social, and creative spaces for children — and most interactions are entirely harmless. However, staying informed and involved is one of the strongest protections we can offer.

By sharing information and looking out for one another, we can help keep Eastcote’s children safe both offline and online.