Teach Secondary Issue 14.8

Opening up the CONVERSATION Mubina Asaria highlights the ways in which schools can support parents with matters of online safety I n today’s digital age, protecting students from online harms requires a genuine partnership between school and home. Parents are the first line of defence when it comes to online safety, but often left out of the online safeguarding conversation. This can result from barriers that include the confidence levels of school staff, and the ability of parents to keep up with the fast-changing app environment and attendant risks – as well as the fact that such conversations will often touch on sensitive topics such as recommended screen time, smartphone use, bullying and potential exposure to sexual content. Children’s online lives are complex and ever-evolving, with new risks frequently emerging alongside new platforms and the latest trends. According to a 2025 report published by Ofcom (see tinyurl.com/ts148-OS1) , 55% of children below the age of 13 use at least one social media app or site. Between 2023 to 2024, Instagramuse among 8- to 9-year-olds rose from 8% to 14%. A third of 8- to 17-year-olds admit to ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mubina Asaria is safeguarding consultant at LGfL – The National Grid for Learning; for more information, visit lgfl.net having submitted a fake age in order to access certain apps and websites. Up to a quarter have changed their date of birth after setting up a social media profile, with 8- to 12-year-olds the group most likely to do this so that they can access Snapchat. Why a drip-feed approach is best When it comes to raising parents’ awareness of online safety issues, a drip-feed approach – where short presentations are incorporated into other school events, such as coffee mornings, parents evenings and celebration days – will likely be more successful than holding yearly or termly standalone sessions. Co-presenting these with students can be especially effective, since students can provide parents with an ‘insider’ view by sharing their own first-hand experiences and knowledge of the latest online trends. Families should be kept informed with clear and consistent communications, be that via regular newsletters, parent portals or dedicated messaging apps. Parents may not always understand the latest risks around gaming, social media, generative AI and so forth, so make sure all communications are kept largely free of jargon, and made as accessible and practical as possible so that parents can develop confidence in speaking to their children. Explaining online trends in simple and relatable terms, while sharing easy-to-use guides and resources, will help families continue those important conversations at home. Always use trusted sources for any resources and support materials, such as the NSPCC, Childnet or Internet Matters, and avoid overwhelming families with an excess of information. Reporting policies Adopting a joined-up approach is essential when safeguarding concerns arise, so encourage a two-way dialogue in which parents feel heard and involved. Reinforce your (hopefully clear) procedures for reporting issues, whether they occur inside or outside the classroom. ITmonitoring systems may be able to instantly alert staff to some potential risks, but timely and sensitive communication with parents is ultimately the most crucial step towards ensuring that any concerns are acted on quickly and appropriately. By the same token, parents should receive help on how to spot early warning signs of online harms at home, and be given the knowledge of how best to respond. Tools and confidence The most effective safeguarding approaches emerge when schools and homes are aligned. Your school policies should reflect the same principles being shared with parents, with both sides modelling the safe and responsible use of technology. By celebrating positive digital behaviour together, and framing safeguarding around empowerment rather than fear , schools can build a culture of trust and genuine partnership with their students’ families. To help with this, the edtech charity LGfL-the National Grid for Learning has developed a free ‘Parent Online Safety Toolkit’ (parentonlinesafety.lgfl.net) , which combines the latest research on young people’s online use and risks with useful tips, conversation starters and resources for parents. The resource can help families stay up to date with new trends, apps and games, manage their home internet settings and controls, and talk to their children about issues such as bullying, image sharing, AI chatbots, screen time, and staying safe from exploitation and grooming. Together, schools and families can form an online safety net that will ensure concerns are picked up early, responses are swift and children are supported both at home and in the classroom. 51 teachwire.net/secondary H E A LT H & W E L L B E I N G