If something goes wrong online

If your child sees something upsetting, receives an unkind message, experiences cyberbullying or is contacted by someone who makes them feel uncomfortable, it is important that they know they can ask for help.

Please reassure your child that they have done the right thing by telling you or another trusted adult.

You can help by:

• Listening calmly and taking their concerns seriously.
• Reassuring them that they are not to blame for someone else's behaviour.
• Keeping relevant messages or screenshots where safe and appropriate.
• Using the platform's blocking and reporting tools.
• Reviewing privacy settings and who can contact your child.
• Contacting school if the concern involves other pupils or affects your child's wellbeing or safety.

Do not feel that you need to manage a serious concern on your own.

Who can I contact?

At school

Our Online Safety Lead is Karen Read. If you are concerned about an online incident involving pupils, please contact the school office and ask to speak to Karen or a member of the safeguarding team.

Childline

Children and young people can call Childline free on 0800 1111 to talk about anything that is worrying them.

Visit the Childline website

NSPCC

Adults can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 for advice about concerns involving a child.

Visit the NSPCC website

Report online concerns

You can report harmful content or behaviour using the relevant platform's reporting tools. For suspected online child sexual abuse imagery, grooming or exploitation, seek advice from the appropriate safeguarding or law enforcement service.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Remember

Encourage children to stop, take a screenshot if safe to do so, block or report the account where appropriate, and tell a trusted adult. They should never feel that they have to deal with an online worry alone.