Digital Safeguarding

Helping Young People Stay Safe, Confident and Connected Online

We recognise that the digital world plays an important role in the lives of young people. From learning and creativity to friendships and communication, technology offers exciting opportunities to explore, connect and develop new skills.

We believe that every learner deserves to enjoy these opportunities while feeling safe, informed and supported.

Our approach to digital safeguarding is rooted in the same values that shape everything we do at GUST: trust, respect, empathy and personal responsibility.

Through education, open conversations and positive relationships, we aim to equip our learners with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

Our Approach to Online Safety

The online world can be both exciting and challenging. Young people may encounter situations that affect their safety, wellbeing, relationships or self-esteem.

We take a proactive and supportive approach to online safety, helping learners recognise potential risks, make informed choices and know where to turn when something does not feel right.

Our digital safeguarding education focuses on:

Staying safe online – understanding how to protect personal information, recognise potential risks and use digital platforms responsibly.
Positive online relationships – encouraging kindness, respect and appropriate boundaries when communicating with others.
Cyberbullying and harmful behaviour – recognising inappropriate online behaviour, understanding its impact and knowing how to seek help.
Social media and digital wellbeing – developing healthy habits, managing screen time and understanding how online experiences can affect emotional wellbeing.
Online privacy and security – recognising scams, protecting accounts and making informed decisions about sharing information.
Recognising harmful content – understanding how to respond to inappropriate, misleading or upsetting material, including content generated using artificial intelligence.
Asking for help – building the confidence to speak to a trusted adult whenever something online causes concern.

We recognise that every learner's needs, experiences and understanding are different. Our approach is adapted to ensure that online safety education is accessible, relevant and meaningful to the young people we support.

Working Together to Keep Young People Safe

Supporting Parents and Carers

Keeping young people safe online is a shared responsibility between school, families and the wider community.

Parents and carers play an essential role in helping children develop safe and positive digital habits. However, with technology and online platforms constantly evolving, we understand that knowing how best to support young people can sometimes feel challenging.

We encourage families to maintain open, honest and non-judgemental conversations about online experiences, helping young people feel comfortable sharing both positive experiences and concerns.

Some simple ways to support online safety at home include:

Taking an interest in the games, apps and platforms your child enjoys.
Talking regularly about online friendships, communication and respectful behaviour.
Exploring privacy settings, parental controls and age-appropriate content together.
Encouraging a healthy balance between online activities, physical activity, rest and time with others.
Reminding young people that they can always ask for help if something online makes them feel uncomfortable, worried or unsafe.
Reassuring them that speaking up about an online concern is always the right thing to do.

The most important protective factor is ensuring that young people know they have trusted adults who will listen, support them and take their concerns seriously.

What Should I Do If I Am Worried About Online Safety?

If you are concerned about something your child has seen, experienced or been involved in online, it is important to respond calmly and offer reassurance.

Encourage your child to talk about what has happened without fear of blame or judgement. Where appropriate, keep a record of concerning messages or interactions, report harmful behaviour through the relevant platform and seek additional support when needed.

If you believe a child or young person is at risk of harm, please contact the school's safeguarding team or the appropriate safeguarding services.

We take all safeguarding concerns seriously and work with families and relevant professionals to ensure that young people receive appropriate support.

Useful Online Safety Resources

The following organisations provide trusted information, practical advice and guidance to help young people, parents and carers stay safe online.

Parent Zone

Practical advice for families on technology, gaming, social media and digital wellbeing.

https://parentzone.org.uk/

UK Safer Internet Centre

Resources, advice and educational materials to help children and young people use the internet safely and responsibly.

https://saferinternet.org.uk/

NSPCC – Online Safety

Guidance for parents and carers on online risks, parental controls, social media and supporting children with their digital lives.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

Childnet

Age-appropriate resources to help children and young people develop positive and safe online behaviours.

https://www.childnet.com/

CEOP Safety Centre

A dedicated service where children, young people and adults can report concerns about online sexual abuse or grooming.

https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/

Our Commitment

Digital safeguarding is an important part of our wider commitment to protecting and promoting the wellbeing of every learner.

We want young people to feel empowered to explore the digital world with curiosity, confidence and care, while understanding how to protect themselves and respect others.

By working together with learners, families and professionals, we aim to create a culture where online safety is understood, openly discussed and embedded in everyday learning.

Our goal is not simply to help young people stay safe online, but to give them the confidence, awareness and resilience to make positive choices in an increasingly digital world.