PARENTS have been urged to equip their children with cyber sense before they log on to their new devices this Christmas.

An awareness drive has been launched by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird along with Temporary Chief Constable Winton Keenen and Get Safe Online chief executive Tony Neate.

The campaign began with a visit to pupils of Harton Primary School in South Shields.

It is hoped parents and carers can ensure children are equipped with internet savvy ahead of using new phones or tablets, by taking on board advice from sites like Get Safe Online.

Ms Baird said: “It is essential that we invest time in educating children around the dangers which exist online.

“Almost four-in-five 12 to 15 year olds and one-in-three 8 to 11 year olds own a mobile phone and most have the freedom to access anyone through many different online platforms. This also means that many people can access them in return, often anonymously.

“This issue adversely affects too many lives in the North-East and across the country. That’s often because offenders are highly manipulative.”

Temp Chief Con Keenen said: “I would urge all parents and carers to help ensure children are aware of the potential dangers when using devices, such as phones and tablets, online.

“There are a number of measures which can be put in place to help protect them when using internet enabled devices.”