Caught in the Web Newsround

Did you know there's a fantastical world where

you can be whoever you want and do whatever your heart desires?

It may sound like a far away place, but it's closer than you think.

This place is the internet.

And for one lonely princess, it was everything she needed.

From her attic room at the top of a giant castle, she could do whatever she liked.

But it is also the place where Evil Arrow lives.

Dangerous things happen when he's around.

Things you wouldn't want to happen to you.

Our story about LostPrincess and her new friend WhiteKnight is made up.

-Hi!

-Hey, princess!

But what happens to the children we meet when Evil Arrow comes along is very, very real.

Now, where was I? Oh, yes, our heroine, LostPrincess, she lived in a castle.

Except, I suppose...

well, it wasn't a castle, more like a house on a street, alongside hundreds of others.

LostPrincess took a lot of care over her appearance, but online, there were no limits.

She could look however she wanted.

I've got green hair.

No, it just has to be purple.

And to go with her purple hair, she chose a bright orange dress.

Orange was her favourite colour.

-After purple.

-Can I carry on?

Perfect, now I'm just right.

She had more contacts than she could count.

But there was one person she spoke to every day.

Whenever she came online, he was waiting.

-No, my parents are really horrible.

-Yeah, mine, too.

My mum's always out at work.

She doesn't care about me at all.

LostPrincess, that's not true.

-I wish I could leave home sometimes.

-Me too.

-How old are you?

LostPrincess, be careful about the information you share.

How old do you think?

-About 13?

-Yeah, good guess, I'm 13.

No, you're not, you're 11.

If I tell him that, he might not like me.

LostPrincess began to spend more and more time on the computer.

Even when she was supposed to be in bed, she spent hours on her computer chatting to WhiteKnight.

But there was one thing bothering her.

I wish I knew what you look like.

So WhiteKnight chose a photo to send.

But how did she know it was him?

She was taking his word for it. He could have sent a real photo, or he could have sent a photo of anyone.

LostPrincess decided to send a picture as well.

But suppose he didn't like her? Suppose he realised she wasn't 13?

He might not want to talk any more.

So she spent hours taking the right one.

WhiteKnight really liked her photo.

Now he sent her messages all the time, even when she was at school.

-Surprise!

-What are you doing?

-Guess who's got tickets to see Poison Apple live?

-Seriously?

-Yeah, you and me, seven o'clock tonight.

-I don't know if I can.

-Yeah, cos you said you could go last time.

-Don't you want to come?

-I will, I just won't tell her.

WhiteKnight made her feel special and now she would meet him for real.

LostPrincess was certain she knew exactly who WhiteKnight was.

She had a photo.

But when she got to the gig, no-one matched his picture.

He would turn up, wouldn't he?

Queues, eh?

She sent him a text.

Maybe he was already inside.

Shall I see you inside?

She'd felt safe online, but LostPrincess had never been

to a gig before and began to feel like she shouldn't have come.

WhiteKnight, I'm going home.

-Is it your mum?

-No.

What's the matter?

I'm not 13, I'm 11.

-Oh.

-See?

Now you're really angry.

You don't want to see me any more.

-I do. I'd like you whatever age you are.

-Really?

You'd like me just the same, wouldn't you?

Yeah, of course.

If I was 14 or 40?

40?!

I've got something to tell you, too.

It's all right, princess, it's WhiteKnight.

Oi, what are you doing here, mate? This gig's for kids.

WhiteKnight had been lying all along

just to get LostPrincess to like him.

He knew it was wrong to talk to children he didn't know. But that didn't stop him.

Meeting them online meant no-one would know who he really was.

And because he was a grown-up, he knew how to get people like LostPrincess to trust him.

All right, mate, this way.

LostPrincess began to see how little she knew WhiteKnight.

Looking back through her texts, she realised how much danger she could have been in.

Want to come to mine? Have you ever snogged anyone?

Keep it a secret from your mum.

You coming in? It's started.

No, sorry.

Now LostPrincess could see that she should never have trusted WhiteKnight.

She'd never be friends with someone like that in the real world.

So she did the only thing she could.

Mum, can you come and get me?

Don't worry, I'm on my way.

Did you know there's a fantastical world

where you can be whoever you want and do whatever your heart desires?

But always keep your personal details and password secret

and be careful what you share,

and remember when you're online, not everyone can be trusted.

So if something doesn't feel right, tell someone in the real word.

I'm LostPrincess and I live in a castle,

but it's not really a castle, it's just my bedroom.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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