NHS England Safeguarding Alert

Dear Parents/Guardians,

NHS England has issued a safeguarding alert following concerns in Essex, where two individuals have been engaging with vulnerable young people via TikTok and are believed to be encouraging self-harm.

Although these incidents occurred in Essex, we are sharing this alert to ensure families remain vigilant to potential risks, particularly for children and young people who may be exposed to similar online behaviours.

Key points:

• Risks can spread geographically due to the nature of social media, even if cases originate elsewhere.
• Be alert to any online contact children, young people, or young adults you know may have, especially via TikTok.
• Remember the importance of monitoring digital activity at home and reporting concerns promptly.

Helpful resources:

• ‘What I wish my parents or carers knew…’: A guide for parents and carers on managing children’s digital lives | Children’s Commissioner for England
• Support for parents and carers to keep children safe online – GOV.UK
• Keeping children safe online | NSPCC
• Keeping children safe online | Barnardo’s