POLICE are issuing safety advice for parents planning to buy smartphones and tablets for their children this Christmas.

They are urging parents to talk to their children about the possible risks they face online as part of the Countdown to Christmas Officers said children can face a number of dangers online which include accessing inappropriate websites, losing control over pictures and videos, giving away personal information and communicating with strangers.

Internet Safety Officer for the Safe Schools and Communities Team (SSCT) Mark Howell urged parents to take an interest in their children’s online activities, and said parents should encourage their children to show them how the websites they are using work.

He said: “Parents need to be alert for the signs of online grooming or cyber bullying. Your child may be more private and secretive than usual.

“They may minimise screens, not engage with the family and spend long amounts of time on their mobile device or take the device to their bedroom.”

If parents think that their child has been affected by their online communications they are urged to either contact the police on 101, report their concerns via CEOP or use one of the many reporting portals on social media sites.