Children and young people may not fully understand the risks of sharing information online.

Support them to:

• Think before sharing images, videos or personal information
• Understand that content can be saved and shared beyond their control
• Recognise pressure to share as a concern and know it’s not acceptable
• Keep personal information private and use privacy settings

Encourage:

• Open conversations about online experiences
• Speaking to a trusted adult if something feels wrong
• Knowing how to block and report users

Online safety concerns can present in different ways and may not always be immediately obvious. You may be responding to:

• Exposure to harmful content – such as sexual, violent or extremist material, which may impact behaviour, attitudes or emotional wellbeing
• Cyberbullying or online harassment – including abusive messages, group chat targeting, or image-based bullying
• Grooming, exploitation or coercion – where a child is contacted online, pressured to share information or images, or manipulated over time
• Pressure to share images – including “nudes” or explicit content, often linked to peer pressure, coercion or blackmail
• Radicalisation or harmful online communities – where children are exposed to or influenced by harmful views, behaviours or groups
• Overuse of devices – where excessive use impacts sleep, relationships, concentration or emotional wellbeing

These resources can support direct work and prevention activity.

• CEOP Education resources – age‑appropriate materials to support online safety education
• NSPCC Online Safety – guidance, training and resources for safeguarding practice
• Childnet – resources to support children, families and professionals