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The Children’s Views, Wishes and Feelings Standard
Regulation 7
The Protection of Children Standard
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation Procedure
This chapter was refreshed in January 2024, and additional links added in Further Information.
All staff need to understand the risks that using the internet may pose for children, such as bullying, sexual exploitation and radicalisation. Staff also need to be aware of the strategies the Home has in place to keep children safe and to support them in learning how to keep themselves safe.
The internet and social networking sites can pose risks to children and young people, for example in relation to sexual exploitation and abuse, bullying and radicalisation.
In relation to sexual abuse, this can include:
Social networking sites can be used by perpetrators as an easy way to access children and young people for sexual abuse. The Serious Crime Act 2015 introduced an offence of sexual communication with a child. This applies to an adult who communicates with a child and the communication is sexual or if it is intended to elicit from the child a communication which is sexual and the adult reasonably believes the child to be under 16 years of age. The Act also amended the Sex Offences Act 2003 so it is now an offence for an adult to arrange to meet with someone under 16 having communicated with them on just one occasion (previously it was on at least two occasions).
It should be noted that creating or sharing explicit images of a child is illegal, even if the person doing it is a child. A young person is breaking the law if they:
However, if a young person is found creating or sharing images, the police can choose to record that a crime has been committed but that taking formal action is not in the public interest.
With effect from 29 June 2021, section 69 Domestic Abuse Act 2021 expanded so-called 'revenge porn' to include threats to disclose private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress.
Internet abuse may also include cyberbullying. This is when a child is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another person or persons using the internet and/or mobile devices. In the case of online bullying it is possible for one victim to be bullied by many perpetrators. In any case of severe bullying it may be appropriate to consider the behaviour as child abuse by another young person.
Radical and extremist groups may use social networking to attract children and young people into narrow ideologies that are intolerant of diversity: this is similar to the grooming process and exploits the same vulnerabilities.
Children may be drawn to adopt a radical ideology through a failure to appreciate the bias in extremist material; in addition by repeated viewing of extreme content they may come to view it as normal.
There is a correlation between online risk and real-life vulnerability that means care-experienced children have an increased risk of encountering online harm. Young people with prior off-line vulnerabilities are at greater risk of harm online then children and young people with none. For example, young people with eating disorders, looked after children and young people and those with communication challenges may use technology to communicate and socialise in ways they cannot achieve without it. Denying online access to children can be abusive in itself (e.g., loss of opportunity to develop resilience, risk of alienation, risk of turning to secret devices).
As part of the placement process, the registered person and the child’s placing authority should agree the arrangements for contact by letter, telephone / mobile, the internet and social media. The Placement Plan should be updated regularly. See also Contact with Parents/Carers, Siblings and Others Procedure.
If any risks are identified, these must be addressed in the Placement Plan, including any restrictions on contact considered necessary to safeguard the child and promote their welfare. If restrictions are imposed, the arrangements should be regularly reviewed and the arrangements changed if the risks reduce.
If a child is placed in an emergency, the Emergency Review should consider the arrangements for contact by letter, telephone / mobile, the internet and social media.
Children will have access to telephones (including mobiles), computers / laptops and tablets at reasonable times, in line with what would be considered acceptable for their peers who are not looked after. The child’s Placement Plan should cover delegated authority in relation to the use of social media.
At any time, if staff consider that a child or others may be at risk from having access to telephones, mobiles, computers/the internet or other forms of communication, they must take steps to reduce or prevent the risk.
If the risk is of Significant Harm (including online or cyberbullying), serious damage to property or of a criminal offence being committed, staff must consider withdrawal/confiscation. Preferably, withdrawal should be by agreement with the child; if agreement is not forthcoming, the Home’s manager should apply the same principles as set out for searching a child without consent, in Searching Children/Bedrooms Procedure.
If any such restrictions are imposed, the Home’s manager and child’s social worker must be notified within 24 hours and consideration must be given to whether any ongoing restrictions should be imposed upon the child; any arrangements for ongoing restrictions must be outlined in the child’s Placement Plan.
If a child is prevented from having access to a telephone, or access is reduced, it is deemed to be a sanction, and must be recorded as such.As set out above, mobiles or other devices may be seized by staff if it can be shown that the mobile/device is being or may be used to place the child or others (including staff) at risk of Significant Harm, this could include from their use of internet or social networking sites and the exchange of images/video clips (so called sexting) or posting of them on such sites e.g. as a form or cyber/online bullying.
If items are seized, they must be passed to the Home’s manager, who must record the seizure and come to a decision about whether to confiscate the device.
Confiscation is reasonable where the Home’s manager considers that the device will be used in a manner which will place the child or others at continuing risk of Significant Harm, in order to caused serious damage to property or if there is a suspicion that the device is not owned by the child e.g. stolen. In such circumstances, the Home’s manager should pass the device to the police or keep it safely in the Home.
If the device is owned by/the property of the child, the Home’s manager may retain it until satisfied that it will be used reasonably i.e. in a way that does not place the child or others at risk.
If retained, the Home’s manager should provide the child with a receipt.
The internet is an integral part of our lives, and children in residential care need to learn how to use the internet safely and take responsibility for their own safety. This is best achieved by providing guidance in the Home environment.
Children and young people should be supported by staff in the Home to use the internet and social media safely, including to understand that when they use digital technology they should not give out personal information, particularly their name, address or school, mobile phone numbers to anyone they do not know or trust. Discussions should also cover safeguarding measures young people must consider if they plan to meet someone face to face whom they have only previously met online.
The development of Home internet rules can help in setting clear boundaries, using appropriate language, and expectations of the child or young person while in that particular placement. These could include:
Furthermore, young people should be warned about the risks of taking sexually explicit pictures of themselves and sharing them on the internet or by text. It is essential, therefore, that young people understand the legal implications and the risks they are taking. The initial risk posed by sexting may come from peers, friends and others in their social network who may share the images. Once an image has been sent, it is then out of your control.
Computers and web-enabled devices owned by the Home must have appropriate controls with regards to access and site-limitations and that 'firewall' and other safety filters are installed and regularly monitored and maintained. Staff must never use equipment belonging to the employer to access pornography; neither should personal equipment containing these images or links to them be brought into the workplace.
The Digital Passport is aimed specifically at Looked After Children, but may be a useful resource that can be adapted for any vulnerable child.
Records kept in the Home on each child, including photographs, represent a significant contribution to their life history. Children will be encouraged to keep appropriate memorabilia of their time spent living at the Home, including photographs.
The widespread use of mobile phones, smartphones and tablets with cameras mean that children and young people living in residential care will take photos of themselves and others in the Home. While it is not realistic to place restrictions on the taking of photos by children and young people, they should be encouraged to consider the following:
Staff must be sensitive to children who do not want to have their photograph taken.
Staff must not take photographs of children for their personal use or using their personal equipment.
This means that staff should:
Internet Matters - advice for professionals, parents and young people on a wide range of digital safety issues including the digital passport.
Refuge and Risk: Life Online for Vulnerable Young People - research into the risks and dangers for vulnerable young people online. The report discusses the types of risk they encounter which is exacerbated by the vulnerabilities.
NSPCC Report Remove Tool - The tool enables young people under the age of 18 to report a nude image or video of themselves which has appeared online. The Internet Watch Foundation will review these reports and work to remove any content which breaks the law.
UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Digital Passport - a communication tool to support children and young people with care experience to talk with their carers about their online lives.
Childnet Parents and Carers Toolkit - Resources that offer practical tips and advice on different aspects of keeping children safe online.
Talking to Your Child About Online Sexual Harassment (Children's Commissioner)
The Dark Web Explained (for Professionals)
The Dark Web Explained (for Parents and Carers)
Child Safety Online: A Practical Guide for Parents and Carers (GOV.UK) - The guide includes practical tips about the use of safety and privacy features on apps and platforms, as well as conversation prompts to help families begin talking about online safety. It also contains pointers to further advice and support.
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