Child protection in the digital environment/online safety

4.234 The internet, online services and associated technologies are an integral part of our everyday lives, and particularly so for our children and young people. These offer many opportunities that support learning, engagement with others and, crucially, helping children and young people to find the right support and help. We want all children and young people to be empowered and confident to access the digital world creatively and fearlessly. Article 17(e) of the UNCRC expects public authorities to develop appropriate guidelines to protect children from information and material injurious to his or her wellbeing. Protecting them from online harm is a challenge in a fast changing media environment. A sense of anonymity and disinhibition can escalate risks. Signposts to key legislation in relation to sexual offences are provided above in the section on child sexual abuse.

4.235 Definition. Online child abuse is any type of abuse that occurs in the digital environment and the internet, facilitated through technology and devices such as computers, tablets, mobile phones, gaming devices and other online-enabled devices.

4.236 If abusive content is recorded, uploaded or shared by others online, there is a risk of the on-going experience of abuse.

4.237 Online abuse can include online bullying; emotional abuse and blackmail; sharing of intimate images; grooming behaviour; coercion and preparatory behaviour for abuse including radicalisation; child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation as described above. Spyware which enables monitoring and tracking of activity on devices and offline locations may be used abusively. Perpetrators may be strangers, family members, friends or professionals.

4.238 Primary protection involves collaborative, preventative action. Listening to the views of children and young people is critical in ensuring that the on-going development of protective efforts are relevant and beneficial. Exposure to risk of online sexual harm is a common experience.

4.239 Prevalence. A Crime Audit published by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) in 2016 reported that 11.4% of recorded sexual incidents had a cyber-element to them, and a significant proportion of these involved children.

4.240 Education/Training. Children should access education that addresses online sexual harm before spending unsupervised time online. This should include information about why it occurs, the different forms it can take, how to identify it, its possible impacts, and what to do if it happens. Children need help to understand what constitutes harm within the context of peer relationships or existing online networks. The 'normality' of such occurrences can reduce awareness of the harm caused to individuals and the harm caused by creation of normative expectations, particularly sexual demands made in relation to girls.

4.241 Education around online sexual harm must be embedded in the school curriculum for children and young people. It is important that children and young people are supported in building their own resilience in the online world. Being online offers positive opportunities and avoidance-based messaging may be unhelpful. Schools are the most common source of learning about sexual harm, however family members, friends, peers and the media are also significant sources of learning. References for this section offer relevant resources and specific links.

4.242 Professionals involved in assessment and planning should develop a knowledge of online risks, the impact of technology on the lives of children and young people and the use of technology by parents and carers which may impact on children. This includes an awareness of the way technology, including spyware or equivalent, may be used abusively, to coerce and control. Professionals should consider the use technology from the child's perspective, with a view to working together on plans relevant to the situation.

4.243 Response. In relation to youth-produced sexual imagery, staff:

4.244 Reporting to Police Scotland or to social work for consideration of an inter-agency referral discussion (IRD) will normally be the recommended response to ensure the concern is placed in context, and that next steps are proportionate, supportive, and if necessary, co-ordinated. An IRD will be completed to allow appropriate child protection measures and on-going risk assessments to be progressed through joint information gathering, information sharing and decision-making through the IRD.

4.245 Information and advice on complaints procedures and reporting routes to social media providers about inappropriate content can be accessed from Report Harmful Content.

4.246 Harmful online challenges entice people to do dangerous activities. They are often deliberate lies designed to seem truthful, which mislead and upset people. In some cases, online challenges or hoaxes may appear interesting or exciting whilst still encouraging people to do something that is not safe or not real. Harmful online challenges and hoaxes are commonly distributed through social media and messaging apps, often inspiring or daring others - including children and young people, to participate or share.

4.247 When children and young people encounter these online challenges and hoaxes, they might be tempted to do or share things out of curiosity, or to impress their friends or to feel part of a community. This content can spread very quickly and reach large audiences, leading to a range of hype and panic and sometimes resulting in harm.

4.248 Professionals should be aware that it is not helpful to share targeted warnings that name and/or described the challenge, hoax or video in question; or which platform the content appears. Doing so may cause distress to both children and families and/or raise curiosity and drive children to the content that is of concern. Therefore, targeted warnings should not be issued to the general public.

4.249 Response. Parents, carers and professionals working with children should:

4.250 When a professional becomes aware of such a challenge or hoax circulating amongst children and/or young people, they should:

4.251 Action required. Where a professional becomes aware of an online challenge or hoax circulating amongst children or young people, every effort must be made to ensure this has not resulted in an incident of actual harm to anyone. The police should be notified as soon as possible in any case. Where an online challenge or hoax has resulted in harm to a child or young person then this should be reported in line with child protection procedures.