The challenges of recognising and responding to online safety concerns are far-reaching and complex. Laura McPhee discusses moving beyond compliance and developing a safeguarding culture and considers a case study of one school’s approach
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As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been increased wide-scale use of technology in education settings as a tool to facilitate children’s learning, socialising, and play.

It is little surprise then, that the latest iteration of Keeping children safe in education (DfE, 2022) stresses the importance of online safety being recognised by all schools as a key safeguarding consideration. The guidance provides leaders with information to ensure designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) and senior leaders can take steps to protect their communities online. This includes:

 

Online Safety Bill

Schools continue to face growing challenges around the risks associated with pupils accessing social media and gaming sites. These concerns are not limited to cyber-bullying and can include loss of private or personal data, grooming, radicalisation and hate speech.

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