Digital safeguarding in schools - how to protect students in a digital world
In an era where technology is ever present in our lives, ensuring the digital safety of students has never been more critical. Every day, more and more apps seem to pop up, with an escalating rise in dangers that present themselves online. Technology is obviously here to stay, however there are ways that we can mitigate some of the dangers to help keep our students safe online.
Stay up to date
One of the most important things is for DSLs and senior leaders to keep up to date with the current trends online. This can be really difficult, as the online world can move so quickly.
Even if you don’t use it personally, have some social media accounts so you can understand how these platforms function, and the impact that algorithms have on your feed etc. Learn more about social media and how it impacts children in our detailed article.
Seek out training sessions or webinars on emerging risks - prominent voices in the digital safeguarding space like Laura Bates, can be heard on podcasts talking about the latest dangers. As soon as you come to terms with one danger, another has reared its head. AI chatbots, sextortion and deep fakes are all issues that our students could be vulnerable to but aren’t necessarily widely understood. This sort of insight can sometimes be more useful than any conference or webinar you attend.
Regular safeguarding newsletters, like NSPCC’s Caspar update and Tes’ Safeguarding Newsletter, can give up-to-date information on emerging trends and concerns and, even if it’s just a very short introduction to the issue, you then have the opportunity and initial insight to investigate further yourself.
Awareness and signposting
Educate and empower your students. There will always be risks, but students that understand the pitfalls and risks will feel empowered to make better decisions. Digital safety shouldn’t just be mentioned in PSHE, but throughout the curriculum - subjects like English can focus on media literacy and how to look at online material objectively, which is increasingly important in this age of disinformation.
We’re currently in exam season and teachers are frustrated because students are listening to TikTok accounts that ‘predict’ topics on exams. Students are taking these accounts seriously and there is a possibility that it impacts their grades. Students should all be aware of the process of reporting things online if they are concerned about someone’s behaviour. For example, if they are unsure of the identity of someone they are talking to online and they are pressuring them for indecent images, students should know how to report that to CEOP and how to keep themselves safe.
Learn more about digital resilience in our dedicated blog on the topic.
Staff training and regular updates
Train staff consistently and thoroughly. Staff will get their annual safeguarding training in September, but that’s not enough. There needs to be consistent training throughout the year, even if it is very short ‘snapshot’ sessions, a short section in briefing notes etc. Trusted training providers such as Tes Safeguarding Training, can provide detailed and specific training in particular areas should staff wish to deep dive.
Ensure that all staff understand how to deal with disclosures, specifically those related to harmful content or online abuse. Do staff know how they can refer students to? Make sure staff are aware of resources like CEOP’s ‘thinkuknow’, an education programme for parents and carers. Common Sense Education, NSPCC,UK Safer Internet Centre and Tes are all places that have resources and support for students to be signposted to but also for staff to increase their knowledge in this area.
Parental engagement
Safeguarding students is most effective when everyone is working together. It is vital that families play their part in managing their child’s online behaviour. It can be difficult for parents to keep up to date with the latest trends or concerns. Many parents didn’t grow up with smartphones and don’t have the access to training that staff do. Providing parents with updates on the latest trends or safety tools through regular safeguarding newsletters.
There is also the opportunity to run webinars and workshops, where parents visit school and see how some of these apps work and understand them more. Sharing guidance on what to do if their child experiences an issue online empowers parents and will help them to deal with issues themselves.
Case management and evaluation
Monitor, record and respond to concerns. Most schools will use online monitoring systems to record concerns (for example MyConcern). Analyse the data over time to see if there are any patterns trends throughout the year. Review previous concerns to make sure they have been handled appropriately - were the police involved, if necessary? These reviews can then inform further training throughout the year, so it is tailored specifically to the needs of your cohort.
Digital safety is a continual process that evolves as quickly as technology does. By embedding digital safety into the school culture and working closely with staff and families, schools can feel confident that their students have the tools needed to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Looking for more information about digital safeguarding?
Looking for more support, guidance, and activities to engage your school community during Safeguarding Awareness Week? Visit our Safeguarding Awareness Week homepage to explore free assemblies, expert advice, blogs, and training resources designed to help your school promote a safer, more informed environment—online and offline.