Facebook users can now download a form of ‘panic button’ to add to their homepage to report instances of inappropriate behaviour.

Facebook and CEOP (the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre) have launched a joint safety initiative in the form of an online ‘panic button’ from the Facebook homepage.

Once clicked, the ClickCEOP button will transport users to the very latest help on online safety, and will also provide a dedicated facility for reporting instances of suspected grooming or inappropriate sexual behaviour.

The button has to be added by the user through the download of an application. All 13 to 18-year-olds on the site will be encouraged to download the application by an automatic advertisement that will pop up on their homepage.

Jim Gamble, Chief Executive of CEOP, said: “Our dialogue with Facebook about adopting the ClickCEOP button is well documented – today however is a good day for child protection.  By adding this application, Facebook users will have direct access to all the services that sit behind our ClickCEOP button which should provide reassurance to every parent with teenagers on the site.

“We know from speaking to offenders that a visible deterrent could protect young people online. We urge all Facebook users to add the app and bookmark it so that others can see that they’re in control online.”

Facebook users can also choose to ‘like’ the CEOP page, which CEOP and Facebook hope will act “as a strong visual signal to their friends, family and others that they are in control online.” The button, once added, will also appear on the users’ Facebook homepage.

CEOP is an organisation dedicated to eradicating the sexual abuse of children and is part of UK policing, working in partnership with other organisations such as the NSPCC and Microsoft.