Digital Safety on School Trips: A Guide for Parents
Preparing your child for the digital expectations and risks that come with being away from home on a school trip.
Device policies on school trips
Schools have varying policies on devices during trips — some collect phones on arrival, others allow them in free time only, and some permit unrestricted use. Before the trip, read the school's policy carefully and discuss it with your child. Agree on expectations: when the phone can be used, which apps are appropriate, and what the consequences of breaking the rules are. If the school requires devices to be handed in, explain why this is reasonable and prepare your child for the change. A spare basic phone for emergency contact only can be a sensible compromise if your child finds the transition difficult.
Photo and video consent
School trips generate a great deal of photography, both from staff and from pupils. Remind your child that taking photos of other children without permission is disrespectful, and that sharing photos of classmates online without their agreement can cause real harm. Check whether the school has a specific photography consent policy for the trip and what images staff are permitted to share on school social media channels. Discuss with your child the general principle that location-tagged photos shared in real time can reveal where a group is staying — something to be mindful of for both safety and privacy reasons.
Social media rules during the trip
Many young people naturally want to document and share their trip experience on social media. Help them understand why a few precautions make sense. Avoid posting exact locations or accommodation details until the group has left. Do not tag classmates in photos without asking first. Be thoughtful about what images are shared — a silly or embarrassing photo can be hurtful and difficult to remove. Remind them that anything posted publicly can be seen by anyone, including adults who are not known to them. Agreeing on a family check-in time each day can reduce the urge to post constantly for social reassurance.
International trips and additional risks
Trips abroad introduce additional digital considerations. Different countries have different laws around photography, content, and internet use. Some school trips visit countries where certain apps or websites are restricted. Check whether a VPN is permitted by the school and whether it is appropriate for your child's age. Roaming charges can be significant, so set up a data cap or international add-on before departure. Remind your child to use only secure, known Wi-Fi networks and to avoid logging into banking or sensitive accounts on hotel or public networks. Brief them on what to do if their phone is lost or stolen abroad.
Emergency communication
Establish a clear plan for how your child will contact you in an emergency. Agree on a designated check-in time each day and a backup plan if the primary method fails — for example, contacting the school directly via the emergency number provided. Ensure your child has the school trip leader's mobile number saved separately from their main contacts in case their phone is lost. Write the key numbers on a small card they can keep in a bag or wallet. Make sure they know that contacting you in a genuine emergency is always the right thing to do, regardless of any device rules that may apply at other times.
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.
Was this page helpful?