Online Safety Indicators
Online Safety Indicators within the Kent Support Level Guidance
The breadth of issues classified within online safety are considerable and their impact in children and families can vary. In general, online safety concerns can be categorised into three areas of risk:
- Content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful materials; for example, pornography, fake news, violent content, pro self-harm, suicide or eating disorder content, racist or radical and extremist views.
- Contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users; for example, sexual abuse, criminal and/or sexual exploitation and grooming for radicalisation.
- Conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of , or causes, harm; for example, making, sending and receiving explicit images, or online bullying.
The following content provides example online risk indicators with the Kent Support Level Guidance. This list is not exhaustive; professionals should discuss online safety concerns with their own agency safeguarding lead and/or the front door if they are unsure.
Universal Support - Level 1
Children and Young People
There are no concerns about my use of technology, for example:
- Content: I access age and developmentally appropriate content online
- Contact: I have online contact with individuals who do no pose concerns
- Conduct: My online behaviour is developmentally appropriate
Family and Environment
- I have age and ability appropriate supervision and my family are aware of my online activity
- I have age and ability appropriate support and expectations regarding technology use within my home
- There are no concerns regarding my families use of technology
Additional Support - Level 2
Children and Young People
There is some evidence I am vulnerable due to online content, contact and conduct safety concerns, for example:
- Content:
- I have accidentally accessed inappropriate content online
- There is some concern regarding the impact of my underage use of social media and/or gaming
- Contact: I have online contact with unknown individuals / groups who may be of concern
- Conduct:
- I am an instigator and/or experiencer of online bullying
- I am an instigator and/or experiencer in low risk peer on peer experimental youth produced / involved sexual imagery.
- I am exhibiting developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviours online
Family and Environment
- I have limited supervision and/or my family are not aware of my online activity
- My family requires support to provide or implement safe technology use within my home
- There is some concern regarding appropriate family use of technology
Intensive Support - Level 3
Children and Young People
I am vulnerable and at risk due to improper content, contact and conduct online, for example:
- Content:
- I have regular access to, or have intentionally shared inappropriate content online
- There is potentially harmful impact on me following access to inappropriate content online
- Contact: I am vulnerable to radicalisation, abuse or exploitation through online contact with individuals / groups who pose a risk
- Conduct:
- I am instigating and/or experiencing significant online bullying or harassment concerns
- I am instigating and/or experiencing problematic peer on peer sexual behaviours online including experimental or aggravated youth produced / involved sexual imagery.
Family and Environment
- There is persistent poor supervision and/or awareness of my online activity
- My families use of technology puts me at potential risk of harm e.g. neglect or contact with people who may pose a risk to children
- My family are unable to provide or implement appropriate support regarding safe technology use within my home
Specialist Support - Level 4
I am experiencing harm through radicalisation, abuse or exploitation content, contact or conduct online, for example:
- Content: There is a harmful impact on me following access to inappropriate or illegal content e.g. impact on my mental health following access to pro-harm material
- Contact: I am experiencing online abuse e.g. sexual abuse, radicalisation, exploitative and/or abusive content
- Conduct:
- I am instigating sexual, radicalisation and/or exploitative online abuse e.g. intentionally accessing child abuse imagery
- I am instigating and/or experiencing high risk experimental or aggravated youth produced / involved sexual imagery.
Family and Environment
- My family refuse to supervise my access or develop awareness of my online activity following concerns
- My family use of technology puts me at direct risk of harm e.g. severe neglect or contact with people who pose a risk to children
- My family are perpetrating or facilitating online abuse or exploitation
- My family refuse to provide or implement appropriate support regarding safe technology use within my home