'Eyes Wide Open' campaign launched by Northamptonshire Police to raise awareness of online harm that children are exposed to
A campaign has been launched by Northamptonshire Police in a bid to raise awareness of the online harm that exists for children and young people.
Launched on Wednesday July 1, the campaign includes the release of a one-minute video aims to raise awareness of the harm that young children can be exposed to while online and encourages parents to have conversations with their children, while setting appropriate online and device restrictions to help protect them.
Over the past two years, between June 2024 to May 2026, a total of 3,091 online crimes were reported to Northamptonshire Police where the victim was under 18. A total of 1,148 offences relating to indecent images of children were recorded in the same period.
The campaign will be rolled out across ITVX, social media, and website and outdoor advertising. The aim is that it will help raise awareness of where parents can go, to find information on online safety actions they can take, while partner agencies and schools will be able to use the materials to open up conversations with young people about online safety.
Detective Superintendent Jen Castle, in charge of Protecting Vulnerable People, said: “While being online can have benefits for young people, harm exists in places and ways that we wouldn’t always recognise. A third of children say they have accepted a friend request from someone they do not know. The UK’s most senior doctors have made a stark comparison: Social media use is now considered as significant a risk to young people’s health as smoking.”
Detective Superintendent Castle, added: “Spotting the signs provide parents with an opportunity to intervene and support.
“But most importantly, we must listen to young people and talk to them about their online lives — openly, without judgement — creating environments where they feel safe to share what they are experiencing. Because if we don’t, others will fill that space.”
According to OFCOM research, algorithms drive content exposure. About 35 percent of children report seeing potentially harmful or inappropriate content simply by scrolling through their feeds and nearly three-quarters of older children (ages 11–17) report seeing harmful content online.
For support with keeping young people safe online, visit the NSCPCC website. For more information about the campaign and to watch the video, visit www.northants.police.uk/eyeswideopen.