Online Safety
Specific Online Safety Issues
Here are some links to information, guidance and resources about specific online safety issues. The different organisations hosting these online materials will review them regularly as these issues adapt to updates in technology, current trends and legal changes. We will add to these links as new issues arise. We are currently focusing on:
Sextortion
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where blackmailers threaten to share explicit pictures of their victim online unless they pay. The psychological effects on victims can be devastating, leading to anxiety, depression and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. Preventing sextortion involves raising awareness, educating about online safety, encouraging open communication between young people and trusted adults, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities. Creating a safer digital environment protects vulnerable children and young people from the harmful impacts of sextortion. These sites provide information, guidance and resources on the issue of sextortion.
UK Safer Internet Centre Sextortion provides advice for professionals, young people and carers on best practice when dealing with sextortion.
Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Protecting Young People from Sextortion is a guide for parents and safeguarding professionals.
Childnet Sextortion help and advice for teachers and professionals, young people, parents and carers.
PSNI Sextortion explains what sextortion is, advises how to protect yourself and how to report it.
Safer Schools NI is a guide for parents and safeguarding professionals on how to protect young people from sextortion.
PSNI Key Stage 4 Sextortion Resources
Aimed at Key Stage 4 pupils, this lesson plan and accompanying resource, produced by the PSNI, provides pupils with opportunities to develop awareness of what sextortion is and how to prevent themselves from becoming victims of sextortion.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the use of digital technology to harass, threaten or humiliate someone. It takes many forms, including sending nasty messages, spreading rumours, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, and creating fake profiles to deceive or hurt others. The effects on young people can be serious, leading to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and, in more extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. The persistent nature of cyberbullying makes it particularly harmful, as it can follow young people everywhere. This makes it difficult for them to ask for help. These sites provide information, guidance and resources on the issue of cyberbullying.
Internet Matters Cyberbullying offers facts and advice about cyberbullying.
Childnet Let’s Fight It Together is an award-winning film illustrating the pain and hurt caused by cyberbullying.
Childnet Cyberbullying Guidance provides advice for schools about responding to online bullying and how to understand and prevent it.
Anti-Bullying Alliance - What is online bullying? provides definitions of and research into online bullying as well as training on how to overcome it.
UK Safer Internet Centre sets out best practice and resources for schools.
Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Online Safety hub explains online bullying and provides advice for parents, carers and professionals.
Child Sexual Exploitation
Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs when an individual or group takes advantage of a young person to manipulate or deceive them into sexual activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or for money or something else that may benefit the abuser. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur using technology. These sites provide information, guidance and resources on the issue of child sexual exploitation.
HSCNI Responding to Child Sexual Exploitation in Northern Ireland is research report useful for informing policy and practice.
NWG Network aims to combat child sexual exploitation in the UK.
Safer Schools NI raises awareness of child sexual exploitation, how to recognise it and where to go for help and support.
Barnardos SEEN is a direct service provided for young people at risk of child sexual exploitation.
NSPCC Protecting children from sexual exploitation offers safeguarding information on recognising, preventing and responding to child sexual exploitation.
CEOP Education provides information and resources from the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Team.
Upskirting, Downblousing and Cyberflashing
Upskirting, downblousing and cyberflashing are crimes in Northern Ireland under legislation that came into effect in November 2023.
Upskirting refers to the act of taking unauthorised photographs or videos underneath someone’s clothing without their consent, typically focusing on their genitals, buttocks or underwear. This intrusive behaviour takes place covertly in public places. Perpetrators try to capture intimate images without their victim’s knowledge. This behaviour causes distress and violates the victim’s privacy.
Downblousing involves capturing images or videos of a person’s chest or cleavage area without their permission. Perpetrators usually take photos from overhead or the side. They often do this in a public place. This is a serious violation of privacy.
Cyberflashing is sending sexually explicit images, often of someone’s genitals, uninvited via a smartphone, social media or messaging app. It is a form of digital harassment and exposure can occur without warning. This causes distress, embarrassment and emotional harm to the recipient.
These sites provide information, guidance and resources on the issues of upskirting, downblousing and cyberflashing.
This page explains consent and explores common myths on topics such as relationships, violence and behaviour.
PSNI Upskirting and Downblousing provides definitions of upskirting and downblousing and explains the offence and punishments perpetrators could face.
PSNI Cyberflashing defines cyberflashing and shows the punishments perpetrators could potentially face.
Justice (Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims) Act Northern Ireland 2022 is legislation that came into effect in November 2023 which makes upskirting, downblousing and cyberflashing criminal offences.
UK Safer Internet Centre guidance supporting victims of cyberflashing and giving preventative advice.
Victim Support Image-based sexual abuse provides information and support for victims of image-based sexual abuse including upskirting and downblousing.
Online Grooming
Online grooming is when someone befriends a child online and builds up their trust with the intention of exploiting them and causing them harm. It can be for sexual or other purposes and can happen to anyone under the age of 18. It is a form of abuse and can take place across a variety of digital platforms. These sites provide information, guidance and resources on the issue of online grooming.
Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Online Grooming provides information and resources about online grooming including who might be at risk, what to look out for and how to respond.
CEOP Education Online Grooming explains the warning signs to look out for and how to report online grooming.
Childnet Online Grooming offers help and advice for parents, carers and professionals.
Safer Schools NI Virtual Friendships provides information on why children form online friendships, how they meet and the dangers they face, including grooming.
UK Safer Internet Centre Online Grooming has ideas for parents and carers about how they can talk to their children about online grooming.
The Children’s Society has news, articles and blogs on many areas of sexual exploitation, including online grooming.
NSPCC Grooming offers information for parents on all types of grooming.
Gambling and Gaming
Gambling and gaming can present significant risks to young people. These risks include addiction, financial loss and exposure to inappropriate content. As these activities become increasingly accessible online, educators play a crucial role in teaching students about the potential dangers. These sites provide information, guidance and resources on the issue of online gambling and gaming.
CCEA Gambling and Gaming Awareness provides easy to use resources to support schools to raise awareness of gambling and gaming.
GambleAware offers resources for teachers and youth workers.
Safer Schools NI Gambling in Gaming takes a wider look about how young people can be encouraged to gamble through video games.
Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Online Safety Hub Gaming offers valuable information about the risks associated with online gaming.
Childnet Gaming provides information and guidance about online gaming and in-game chat features.
UK Safer Internet Centre Gaming has tips, guidance and resources for teachers, parents and carers about the best practices for safe gaming environments.
Radicalisation
Radicalisation is the process by which individuals are influenced or persuaded to adopt extremist ideologies, beliefs or behaviours. In Northern Ireland and Ireland, online radicalisation poses significant dangers to young people. Extremist groups or individuals may target young people by exploiting online platforms to spread propaganda, recruit vulnerable individuals and incite violence or hatred. This can lead to involvement in radical activities, alienation from their communities and potentially acts of terrorism or violence.
NSPCC Radicalisation offers advice on recognising and protecting children from online radicalisation.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence and problem solving capabilities by machines, most notably computer systems. Digital assistants, GPS and generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are some examples of artificial intelligence available to young people today. The number of AI systems and applications is growing quickly. Using these presents risks that young people, teachers, parents and carers must be aware of. These sites provide information, guidance and resources on the issue of artificial intelligence.
Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies offers information and guidance on the safeguarding risks posed by artificial intelligence.
INEQE Safeguarding Group Artificial Intelligence has articles and blogs highlighting the latest developments in artificial intelligence and the risks they present.
Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Bringing AI to Schools provides tips for school leaders on how to approach AI in schools.
Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Educator Guide offers guidance on AI for post-primary educators.
Internet Matters Generative AI in Education is a research report on the views of young people and parents on artificial intelligence.