WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY....
PROTECTING CHILDREN ONLINE: ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS
Comment by MUBINA ASARIA, Safeguarding Consultant, LGfL- The National Grid for Learning O
nline child sexual abuse is an escalating concern. While the Online Safety Act places new legal duties and responsibilities on online service providers to keep children and young people safe online - is a welcome development - it represents just one part of the broader effort needed to safeguard children in today’s digital age. Schools play a crucial role in this mission. By raising awareness and equipping students with critical thinking skills and digital resilience, educators can empower young people to navigate online spaces - particularly social media, apps, and gaming platforms - more safely. Just as importantly, children must know where to turn and how to access support when they feel at risk or need help.
Online child sexual abuse involves enticing or forcing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities online, or using technology to facilitate abuse offline. It has a lasting impact on the victim’s physical and emotional health and wellbeing, relationships and education. Worryingly, there is a continuing and increasing trend of child-on-child abuse, instigated by other children and young people, not just by adults. Technology can both enable and amplify abusive behaviours, particularly in the creation, possession, and distribution of sexual images of children. These images may be accessed or exchanged via the open internet, private messaging platforms, or the dark web. Once circulated, such content can spread rapidly and is exceptionally difficult to remove. Additionally, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has intensified online threats to children. Offenders are increasingly using generative AI - such as deepfake images and conversational bots - to manipulate, exploit, and produce sexually explicit material, making AI-enhanced abuse one of the most pressing concerns in online child protection today.
We know that children and young people love livestreaming, sharing pictures and videos online – it’s a lot of fun, and a great way for them to be creative and to express themselves - but there are significant risks they need to be aware of. It provides easy access for perpetrators to engage with children through the instant, direct connection of ‘viewers’ to ‘hosts’. Offenders can hide amongst viewers, start chatting with the child, and once contact is established, grooming and abuse can take place in a relatively short time.
Gaming can also provide similar opportunities to offenders, with group chat initially focussed on the game, and then an invitation enticing the child to chat via private messaging. The young person is then tricked, coerced or manipulated into sexualized conversations and encouraged to take part in sexual activity or to send nude images or videos. Once the abuse has taken place, some victims may not want to report it for fear of being judged or blamed, or are unsure about the consequences of coming forward. Often made to feel that it’s their fault, they are afraid to speak out about their experiences. Others may not even realise that they have been abused, or be unaware of who to go to or how to report it.
Steps schools can take
Schools play a vital role in fostering a strong safeguarding culture by openly discussing online risks with students and raising awareness about the dangers of sharing content online. It is essential that all concerns are treated with seriousness, and that staff respond to disclosures with confidence, consistency, and without judgment, to ensure a safe and supportive environment. Educators should also be mindful that some students receiving online safety education may have already been affected by sexual abuse.
Schools should aim to:
• Show empathy and understanding • Explain what will happen next and if information needs to be passed on • Ensure that pupils have ongoing support • Ensure staff are alert to changes in pupils’ emotions and behaviour – both verbal and non-verbal
• Encourage pupils to come forward by providing worry boxes, online reporting options and safe spaces
• Use opportunities in the curriculum in PSHE/RSHE, to discuss abuse, healthy relationships and online safety
• Ensure trusted adults are explicit and emotionally available • Ensure policies and safeguarding procedures are aligned and supportive
• Ensure pupils know there is a choice of
adults and reporting services to turn to if something happens online, especially if it is outside school hours or during holidays.
Organisations to signpost include:
• Child Exploitation and Online Protection CEOP. Young people can report concerns about child sexual abuse and exploitation to the National Crime agency
• Childline Report Remove. Children can use this free tool to report nude or sexual images and videos of themselves they think might have been shared online, or speak to a trained Childline counsellor online or on the phone.
Today, most children grow up with a digital presence, often beginning in early childhood. While the online world offers valuable opportunities for creativity and exploration, it also presents serious risks and potential harm. It is crucial that we acknowledge the reality of online child sexual abuse and equip ourselves to respond effectively through education and robust safeguarding practices. By doing so, we can help children and young people build the awareness, skills, and resilience they need to navigate the digital world safely and protect themselves from harm.
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www.education-today.co.uk July/August 2025
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