The internet plays an important role in the lives of children, young people, families, and professionals. It offers valuable opportunities for learning, communication, creativity, and connection. When used safely and responsibly, online spaces can support wellbeing, education, and positive relationships.
However, online environments also present risks. Children and adults may be exposed to harmful content, online abuse, exploitation, misinformation, cyberbullying, privacy breaches, or inappropriate contact. Some individuals may use digital platforms to groom, manipulate, or harm others. Understanding these risks, and knowing how to respond, is essential to keeping children and families safe.
This page has been developed for practitioners, parents, carers, and children to help build awareness and confidence in navigating the online world safely. It brings together trusted guidance, practical advice, and evidence-informed resources from national organisations and safeguarding partners. It also provides links to training courses, learning materials, and up-to-date information to support safe digital practice at home, in education, and in professional settings.
The aim is to support adults and children to recognise online risks, develop digital resilience, and promote safe, respectful, and responsible use of technology. By strengthening knowledge and skills across families and services, we can work together to create safer online environments and respond effectively when concerns arise.
Resources and Training
EDUCATION RESOURCE
Cyber Resilience Toolkit for Teachers (DigiLearn – Education Scotland)
UK SAFER INTERNET CENTRE
The UK Safer Internet Centre has created new educational resources on the safe and responsible use of AI ahead of Safer Internet Day 2026. The resources have been designed for use with children and young people of different age groups from 3 to 18-years-old. The resource packs, available in Welsh and English, include presentation slides and activities.
Launching brand new resources on AI for Safer Internet Day 2026
Advice for Social Workers
Healthcare Professionals
Residential Care Settings
Foster Carers and Adoptive Parents
NSPCC
Keeping Children Safe Online
Preventing Online Harm and Abuse
Online Harm and Abuse: Statistics Briefing
Impact of Online and Offline Child Sexual Abuse: “Everyone deserves to be happy and safe”
THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY
4 Tips for Keeping your Teen Safe Online
CHILD EXPLOITATION AND ONLINE PROTECTION (CEOP)
CEOP Safety Centre – Website for the public (children, young people and adults) to report concerns about online abuse.
Online blackmail
OTHER DIGITAL SUPPORT
Helping Parents and Carers Understand the Sexual Behaviour of Teenagers (The Lucy Faithfull Foundation)
Online Sexual Harm Reduction Guide (The Marie Collins Foundation)
Digital Safety Plan (Shore/The Lucy Faithfull Foundation)
AI GENERATED SEXUAL ABUSE
Artificially generated child sexual abuse images: Understanding and responding to concerns (CSA Centre)
Professional Guides: Understanding and Responding to AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (Internet Watch Foundation)
TRAINING AVAILABLE
Digital Safeguarding in Practice E-Learning – FREE places available – Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice
CYCJ in collaboration with the Lucy Faithfull Foundation have created a new eLearning module on Digital Safeguarding in Practice, to provide a greater awareness of the risks present for children using digital technology. Children have a right to access digital technology and online information, and it is critical when in that environment they are safe from abuse and harm. Key elements of this instance of learning are: building digital awareness, identifying indicators of online sexual abuse and grooming, promoting safe use of digital technologies and responding to harmful online behaviour.
With support from the Scottish Government, the course is available free of charge. To enrol, simply click below to access the enrolment page: M116: Digital Safeguarding in Practice | Centre for Lifelong Learning
