Neighbours star Madeleine West lends support to child safety campaign Unplug 24

Aussie actress and child abuse survivor Madeleine West has revealed why she’s taking part in Unplug 24. See what it is and how you can get involved.

Social media is a “hunting ground” for pedophiles, says child abuse survivor Madeleine West, who is taking part in a national 24-hour boycott of the networking apps to raise awareness.

The former Neighbours actor, turned online safety educator, said she fell victim to a sexual predator when she was a child. Her abuser lived nearby.

But now pedophiles don’t have to live close to their victims, they are finding them online and tricking them into sending inappropriate images or videos of themselves.

“Social media is a hunting ground for predators,” Ms West, 45, said.

“When we hand a child a device we don’t just give them access to the world, we give the world access to them.”

Actor Madeleine West said she fell victim to a sexual predator when she was a child. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The mum of six is passionate about child safety and is supporting Unplug 24, on October 24, which is a national initiative encouraging people to abstain from social media for 24 hours.

It is being promoted by this masthead and Wayne Holdsworth, who came up with the idea and hopes it will be a catalyst for change.

Mr Holdsworth’s son Mac took his own life aged 17 after becoming the victim of a predator.

The date of the blackout is the first anniversary of Mac’s death. The teen was sextorted by a 45-year-old male scammer pretending to be a teenage girl.

Mac was duped into sending an intimate photo of himself and then blackmailed.

Wayne Holdsworth and daughter Daisy, 15. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ms West said Unplug 24 will provide families with an opportunity to discuss the dangers of social media and also spend quality time together.

Ms West travels around the country, speaking to kids in schools about online safety.

She said Mac’s story was horrific but not uncommon.

“Sextortion is the number one crime being experienced by children aged 12 to 16,” Ms West said, adding that social media apps were also “fuelling self-harm, depression and even death”.

“With the advent of social media, our children’s online communities extend into the thousands,” she said.

“Hidden behind a screen we never really know who we are communicating with, sharing our life with, and we don’t know what they will do with that information.”

She said the key to keeping kids safe was education.

For the newest tools, tips or an in school educational presentation contact safeonsocial.com.

If you are struggling and need support call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Neighbours star Madeleine West lends support to child safety campaign Unplug 24