Digital Safety for Refugee & Asylum-Seeker Families
Practical guidance for families who have recently arrived in the UK and are navigating digital life alongside everything else.
Digital challenges for refugee families
Refugee and asylum-seeking families face unique digital challenges: language barriers with English-language apps and settings, unfamiliarity with UK digital platforms, shared or public device access in temporary accommodation, and children who may be more digitally fluent than their parents. Children may also use the internet to maintain contact with family members in their country of origin, which brings both comfort and risks.
Key safety priorities
Location sharing is a critical safety concern — some families may be at risk if their location becomes known to people in their country of origin. Ensure location services are turned off on social media and messaging apps. Be cautious about sharing photos that identify your accommodation or local area. Review privacy settings on all accounts, even if this requires using translation tools to understand the settings.
Supporting children in your care
Children from refugee backgrounds may be more vulnerable to online exploitation due to trauma, isolation, and the search for belonging. They may form online friendships quickly to compensate for disrupted social networks. The fundamental safety principles apply: know who your child is talking to, ensure they know they can come to you, and set up basic device safety. Our device guides have visual step-by-step instructions that work across languages.
Using translation tools for safety
Modern smartphones have built-in translation features that can help you navigate app settings and safety configurations. Google Translate can translate text from screenshots. Some devices allow you to change the system language. Ask your child to help you set up safety features — this also teaches them to take responsibility for their own digital safety.
Support organisations
- Refugee Council: refugeecouncil.org.uk — Support for refugees in the UK
- Childline: 0800 1111 — Free, confidential support (interpreters available)
- NSPCC: 0808 800 5000 — Child protection helpline
- Internet Watch Foundation: iwf.org.uk — Report harmful content
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
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