3.3 Describe ways of reducing risk to children and young people from: • social networking • internet use

This guide will help you answer 3.3 Describe ways of reducing risk to children and young people from: • social networking • internet use.

Children and young people often use the internet and social networking sites to connect with others, learn, and have fun. These online spaces can be positive, but they also bring risks. Workers who support teaching and learning must know how to reduce these risks. This means using clear boundaries, education, and safety measures to keep online activities safe.

What are Social Networking Risks?

Social networking refers to online platforms where people create profiles, share updates, comment on posts, and connect with others. Examples include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. For younger children, games with chat features can also be classed as social networking.

Risks can include:

• Contact with strangers who may have unsafe intentions
• Cyberbullying from peers or others online
• Unwanted sharing of personal information
• Exposure to inappropriate language, images, or videos
• Being persuaded to take part in risky behaviour

These dangers can lead to emotional distress, physical harm, or damage to reputation.

Understanding Risks of Internet Use

Internet use covers all online activity, not just social networking. It includes searching for information, watching videos, playing online games, and using websites for learning.

Risks can include:

• Access to inappropriate content such as violence or sexual material
• Contact from online predators through email, chat, or game forums
• Being persuaded to give personal details like addresses or passwords
• Malware or viruses that can damage devices and steal data
• Gambling sites aimed at young users
• Spending too much time online which can affect schoolwork, health, and relationships

Ways to Reduce Risk from Social Networking

One of the most effective methods is education. Children and young people should be taught how to recognise danger and make safe choices online.

Teaching Safe Profile Settings

Help them set social network accounts to private so that only approved friends can see their content. This limits exposure to strangers. Encourage them to avoid sharing:

• Date of birth
• Home address
• School name
• Daily routines

This lowers the chance that someone could track their movements.

Encouraging Care with Friend Requests

Explain the danger of accepting friend requests from people they have never met offline. Remind them that online profiles can be fake.

Reporting and Blocking

Children should know how to block or report anyone who is acting inappropriately or making them feel uncomfortable. Most social networking platforms have built-in tools for this.

Managing Images and Videos

Teach that once a photo or video is shared online, control over it can be lost. It can be saved, copied, or re-posted without permission. Before posting, they should ask: “Would I be happy for a teacher, family member, or future employer to see this?”

Limiting Location Sharing

Some apps allow automatic sharing of location. This should be switched off, especially when posting photos, to prevent strangers knowing where they are.

Ways to Reduce Risk from Internet Use

Using Filters and Parental Controls

Schools and parents can set up filtering systems to block harmful or unsuitable websites. These can filter by category, such as adult content or gambling.

Parental control software can:

• Set time limits for use
• Monitor browsing history
• Block certain websites or apps

Teaching Safe Searching

Encourage the use of child-friendly search engines such as Swiggle or Safe Search Kids. This reduces the risk of inappropriate results appearing.

Recognising and Avoiding Scams

Teach children to spot warning signs such as pop-up messages asking for money or personal details. They should avoid clicking unknown links and be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true.

Email and Messaging Safety

Young people should only open emails and attachments from trusted contacts. Unknown senders can send harmful links or file attachments containing viruses.

Balancing Screen Time

Help them set healthy limits for time spent online. Too much internet use can affect sleep, physical activity, and schoolwork. Timers or agreed limits can help maintain balance.

Safe Use of Public Wi-Fi

Explain that public Wi-Fi networks can be less secure. Sensitive activities like online shopping or entering bank details should not be done on public networks.

Role of Adults in Reducing Risk

Adults supporting learning play a major part in keeping online activity safe. This can include teachers, teaching assistants, parents, and carers.

Their actions might include:

• Setting clear rules for device and internet use in school and at home
• Monitoring activity to spot unsafe behaviour early
• Having open conversations so children feel comfortable discussing worries
• Leading lessons on online safety through PSHE or ICT classes
• Creating agreements, such as acceptable use policies, that children sign to show they understand the rules

Signs That a Young Person May Be at Risk

Workers should watch for changes in behaviour that may indicate online harm. This can include:

• Becoming secretive about online activity
• Sudden mood changes or withdrawal
• Using language or expressions they are unlikely to have learned offline
• Getting upset after going online
• Spending too much time alone with a device

Spotting early warning signs can allow adults to step in and address problems before they escalate.

Working with Parents and Carers

Safety works best when school and home work together. Parents may not always know how to protect their children online, so staff can share tips and resources.

Ways to support parents:

• Suggest free online safety guides from organisations like NSPCC and Childnet
• Show how to set up privacy settings and filters
• Encourage them to talk regularly with children about internet use
• Remind them to keep devices in shared family spaces when possible

Educating Children to Think Critically

Children should learn to question what they see online. Not all information is true, and not all people have good intentions.

Teach them to ask:

• Who made this information?
• Is it from a trusted source?
• Could it be a trick or fake?

This helps them avoid scams, misinformation, and risky contacts.

Policies and Legal Protection

Schools follow safeguarding policies which cover online risks. Workers should follow these policies at all times. They may include reporting protocols for harmful material or online abuse.

Key laws offer protection:

• Data Protection Act 2018 safeguards personal information
• Computer Misuse Act 1990 makes hacking illegal
• Malicious Communications Act 1988 addresses sending threatening or offensive messages online

Following policy keeps both the child and the worker safe.

Supporting Safe Use in Education

In the classroom, safe internet practice can be encouraged by:

• Using supervised sessions for online research
• Providing a list of approved websites
• Ensuring screens are visible to staff when devices are used
• Making sure pupils understand what topics are off-limits and why

Interactive lessons on online safety can make the message clear without frightening children, while still making them aware of dangers.

Steps for Dealing with an Online Incident

If a child experiences harm online, swift action can prevent further damage. Steps may include:

1. Stay calm and listen carefully to the child’s account
2. Avoid blaming or criticising them
3. Save evidence such as screenshots or messages
4. Report to the school safeguarding lead immediately
5. In serious cases, involve police or child protection services

Children should feel supported and not judged, so they are more likely to speak up again in the future.

External Support and Reporting Routes

There are services that support safe internet and social media use:

• CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre): a police-run site where harmful online contact can be reported
• NSPCC: offers advice to children and adults
• Childline: gives free confidential support to young people
• Internet Watch Foundation: removes online content that contains sexual abuse

Making sure children and parents know about these services can add another layer of safety.

Building a Safe Online Culture at School

A safe culture promotes positive use of the internet while reducing risks. This can be done by:

• Promoting kindness and respect in all online interactions
• Using posters and workshops to reinforce messages about safety
• Recognising and rewarding safe behaviour online
• Giving children regular opportunities to talk about their online experiences

When safety is part of normal school life, children are more likely to protect themselves and others.

Final Thoughts

Keeping children and young people safe on social networking sites and across the internet needs a mix of rules, education, and support. It is not about banning access but guiding them to use the online world in a safe and sensible way. Good habits built early can protect them for years to come.

By teaching practical skills, setting boundaries, and being open to conversations, you can give them the tools they need to spot risks and handle them. Reducing online risks is most effective when everyone works together: school staff, parents, carers, and the young people themselves. With constant awareness and teamwork, the internet can remain a place of learning, creativity, and positive connection.