Consent Online: Respecting Boundaries in a Digital World
An assembly exploring the concept of consent in digital contexts, including sharing images, tagging, and forwarding messages.
Overview
Consent is a concept most often discussed in the context of physical relationships, but it is equally important online. This assembly explores what consent means in digital spaces — from sharing someone's photo without permission to forwarding a private message to adding someone to a group chat without asking. It helps students understand that respecting other people's digital boundaries is a fundamental part of being a decent person online.
Talking Points
Consent online means asking permission before sharing someone's photo, forwarding their message, tagging them in a post, or adding them to a group chat. It is about respecting their right to control their own digital presence.
Just because you can screenshot, share, or forward something does not mean you should. Ask yourself: did the person who sent this intend for it to be shared? If not, keep it private.
Sharing intimate images of someone without their consent is a criminal offence in the UK, regardless of your age. This includes forwarding images that someone else shared with you privately.
If someone says no to being photographed, tagged, or included, respect that decision without making them feel awkward. Consent means the answer can be no, and that is okay.
Think about your own digital boundaries too. You have every right to say no to being filmed, photographed, or tagged. Practise saying it and support friends who do the same.
Key Message
Consent online is simple: ask before you share, respect the answer, and treat other people's digital lives with the same care you would want for your own.
Follow-Up Activity
In pairs, students discuss three real-world scenarios involving digital consent (provided on a worksheet) and decide what the right course of action would be. Each pair presents one scenario and their reasoning to the class.
This content is designed to support professionals in their safeguarding role. It does not replace your organisation's safeguarding policies or training requirements.
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Last reviewed: 2026-03-29