Online-Safety
The widespread and changing use of digital technology has significantly enhanced our ability to communicate, share information & images, be entertained and learn. Most children and young people can access the internet on their mobile phones, tablets and gaming devices via free and unrestricted public and home WiFi. Parental & organisational control can be very challenging so it is important to ensure that they have safe and positive online experiences.
Much work has already been done in our education settings with staff, pupils, parents & carers to raise awareness of the associated risks but we also have a wider duty of care to help children and young people develop the skills to look after themselves in wider society. We have a responsibility to take action against those who harm children and young people via digital technology.
We all need to be aware of technological developments but we need to focus on the behaviour of children and young people online rather than on the technology itself. Rather than naming individual apps or games where problems have been identified, we should concentrate on how the child or young person use of the app or game that increases their risk.
Sheffield Children's Safeguarding Partnership (SCSP) co-ordinates a city-wide approach to online-safety. Below you will find information and guidance that will help you to understand the safeguarding issues relating to the use of information technology and implement safety measures to enable you and the children and young people you work with to do this safely.
SCSP city-wide policy, protocols & guidance:
National guidance:
Useful resources:
Other relevant information can be found on this website here: Information and resources or in the index on the left side of this page.
If you are concerned about a child or young person, follow this link: Referring a safeguarding concern to Children’s Social Care