Responding to Online Safety Concerns
What to do when a young person in your group may be at risk online.
Recognising and recording concerns
Your volunteers do not need to be online safety experts, but they should know the basic signs that a young person might be experiencing online harm: withdrawal, secrecy around devices, unexplained distress, or references to online contacts that adults do not know. Record any concerns factually and promptly using your organisation's safeguarding form. Include dates, times, and the young person's own words where possible.
Key takeaway
Record concerns factually and promptly — accurate records are essential for any subsequent safeguarding action.
Reporting and referral
Your safeguarding lead should be the first point of contact for any concerns. If they are unavailable or the concern involves them, contact the local authority's children's services directly. For immediate danger, call 999. For online-specific concerns, CEOP (ceop.police.uk) accepts reports about online child sexual exploitation. Ensure all volunteers know these pathways before they start working with children.
Key takeaway
Every volunteer should know how to report a concern — to your safeguarding lead, to children's services, or to CEOP for online exploitation.