What keeps

children safe?

What keeps

children safe?

What keeps

children safe?

What is safety?

Safety is built on a foundation of the relationships we have with the children in our lives and is the reassurance we give children that life will be OK and there is always someone they can rely on if they need help.

Safety is a feeling that wraps around children and young people. It comes when we consistently let them know they are valued, important and respected. Children feel safe when they feel understood, listened to and that the people in their lives understand what they need, what upsets them and what helps them to feel better.
Providing a safe online environment relies on the same principles as in any environment. It’s the relationships we have with children that enables them to be safe.

What is safety?

Safety is built on a foundation of the relationships we have with the children in our lives and is the reassurance we give children that life will be OK and there is always someone they can rely on if they need help.

Safety is a feeling that wraps around children and young people. It comes when we consistently let them know they are valued, important and respected. Children feel safe when they feel understood, listened to and that the people in their lives understand what they need, what upsets them and what helps them to feel better.

Providing a safe online environment relies on the same principles as in any environment. It’s the relationships we have with children that enables them to be safe.

What is safety?

Safety is built on a foundation of the relationships we have with the children in our lives and is the reassurance we give children that life will be OK and there is always someone they can rely on if they need help.

Safety is a feeling that wraps around children and young people. It comes when we consistently let them know they are valued, important and respected. Children feel safe when they feel understood, listened to and that the people in their lives understand what they need, what upsets them and what helps them to feel better.
Providing a safe online environment relies on the same principles as in any environment. It’s the relationships we have with children that enables them to be safe.

The safety circle

It takes our entire community to keep children and young people safe online. They need a network of relationships with safe people to be and feel safe. This is represented in safety circles.

A ‘safety circle’ is made up of all the safe relationships that children and young people have with their family, friends, teachers, coaches and other important people in their lives.

The inner circle

These are the people who know a child or young person best and spend the most time with them. People in this circle could be carers, parents and close family. They are most likely to know everything about a child’s daily life.

The middle circle

These people know a child or young person very well and have spent time with them as they have grown. They may be extended family or family friends who share time doing things together.

The outer circle

These people have a role with them that is specific in the life of a child or young person. They may be a sports coach, teacher, or a friend or family member who regularly takes part in a shared activity with them – like a hobby or a part of a club.

The safety circle

It takes our entire community to keep children and young people safe online. They need a network of relationships with safe people to be and feel safe. This is represented in safety circles.

A ‘safety circle’ is made up of all the safe relationships that children and young people have with their family, friends, teachers, coaches and other important people in their lives.

The inner circle

These are the people who know a child or young person best and spend the most time with them. People in this circle could be carers, parents and close family. They are most likely to know everything about a child’s daily life.

The middle circle

These people know a child or young person very well and have spent time with them as they have grown. They may be extended family or family friends who share time doing things together.

The outer circle

These people have a role with them that is specific in the life of a child or young person. They may be a sports coach, teacher, or a friend or family member who regularly takes part in a shared activity with them – like a hobby or a part of a club.

The safety circle

It takes our entire community to keep children and young people safe online. They need a network of relationships with safe people to be and feel safe. This is represented in safety circles.

A ‘safety circle’ is made up of all the safe relationships that children and young people have with their family, friends, teachers, coaches and other important people in their lives.

The inner circle
The middle circle
The outer circle

Click on each circle to see what it means

How can you keep

children safe?

Believe

what they are telling you

Recognise

the signs that something is not right and talk to them

Report

if you are worried that they are in significant danger, report your worries to the police or child protection authorities

Reassure

them that they have done the right thing in telling you

Talk

to someone else in the safety circle who may also be able to help

How can you keep

children safe?

Believe

what they are telling you

Recognise

the signs that something is not right and talk to them

Report

if you are worried that they are in significant danger, report your worries to the police or child protection authorities

Reassure

them that they have done the right thing in telling you

Talk

to someone else in the safety circle who may also be able to help

How can you keep

children safe?

Believe

what they are telling you

Reassure

them that they have done the right thing in telling you

Recognise

the signs that something is not right and talk to them

Talk

to someone else in the safety circle who may also be able to help

Report

if you are worried that they are in significant danger, report your worries to the police or child protection authorities

Let them know you’ll
be on their side,

no matter what.

All kids will need the adults in their safety circle to stand up for them at some point in their life.

Let them know you’ll
be on their side,

no matter what.

All kids will need the adults in their safety circle to stand up for them at some point in their life.

Let them know you’ll
be on their side,

no matter what.

All kids will need the adults in their safety circle to stand up for them at some point in their life.

Whose safety circle are you part of?

Most people have children and young people in their lives. This means most people belong in one of the rings of the safety circle for a child. No matter where you are, you have a role in helping children feel safe and be safe.

Think about all the children and young people in your life and put yourself in their shoes.
Where do you fit into their safety circles?

Whose safety circle are you part of?

Most people have children and young people in their lives. This means most people belong in one of the rings of the safety circle for a child. No matter where you are, you have a role in helping children feel safe and be safe.

Think about all the children and young people in your life and put yourself in their shoes.
Where do you fit into their safety circles?

Whose safety circle are you part of?

Most people have children and young people in their lives. This means most people belong in one of the rings of the safety circle for a child. No matter where you are, you have a role in helping children feel safe and be safe.

Think about all the children and young people in your life and put yourself in their shoes.
Where do you fit into their safety circles?

How it happens?

Their stories

How it happens?

Read their stories

Next steps

Know the signs

The signs of online child sexual abuse and exploitation are not always easy to identify. Children and young people may not understand the risks, but by knowing the signs we can support their understanding.

Teach me the signs
Take action

Everyone in the safety circle of a child or observing a child at risk of online sexual abuse can take some actions to prevent, report or help with next steps of recovery of exploitation. Let’s have a look at these simple actions and resources to help.

Take action

How it happens?

Read their stories

Next steps

Know the signs

The signs of online child sexual abuse and exploitation are not always easy to identify. Children and young people may not understand the risks, but by knowing the signs we can support their understanding.

Teach me the signs
Take action

Everyone in the safety circle of a child or observing a child at risk of online sexual abuse can take some actions to prevent, report or help with next steps of recovery of exploitation. Let’s have a look at these simple actions and resources to help.

Take action

Next steps

Know the signs

The signs of online child sexual abuse and exploitation are not always easy to identify. Children and young people may not understand the risks, but by knowing the signs we can support their understanding.

Teach me the signs
Take action

Everyone in the safety circle of a child or observing a child at risk of online sexual abuse can take some actions to prevent, report or help with next steps of recovery of exploitation. Let’s have a look at these simple actions and resources to help.

Take action