We often take precautions to keep ourselves safe e.g., diet choices, wearing seat belts, crossing at the traffic lights, checking our food is in date and – you get the picture. As technology evolves, so too has our understanding of what we mean by ‘online safety’. We now need to think about more sophisticated, targeted and evolving challenges including data mining, harvesting and warehousing, profiling, datafication of children, to name a few. Additionally, ‘online safety’ is now considered too narrow a definition as it focuses on potential harms rather than the benefits of technology.
Our mobile devices are personal computers that we carry with us everywhere to do more than make calls. We rely on our smart phones so much that most people would miss their phones more than their TV, and prior to the pandemic, adults checked their mobile devices on average every twelve minutes whilst awake! This may well have increased for some given the pandemic accelerated our use of and reliance on technology.
It’s important to be balanced in our approach to staying safe online. Whilst it’s sensible to be careful, it’s probably more prudent to be informed about the potential risks and how to manage these. When considering children and technology, instead of focusing on risks v benefits, applying a child’s rights approach is recommended by experts.
This video created by Scottish Social Services Council summarises some key hints and tips on staying safe online:
And this podcast episode gives some practical hints and tips about how to avoid falling foul of some of the common risks online.
As you can see this is a big topic, with lots of different facets. This resource for social service workers in Scotland covers passwords and password managers; backing up data; mobile and computer updates; smart home devices and explains two-factor authentication. There are also some interactive video scenarios to illustrate key messages in staying safe online.
Additional reliable sources of guidance and support
- Get Safe Online gives practical advice on how to protect yourself, your computers and mobile devices against fraud, identity theft, viruses etc.
- Cyber Aware – Advice on how to stay secure online from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre.
- Action Fraud – provides information on the full spectrum on online fraud and scams as well as options to report online fraud.
- ICO (the Information Commissioners Office.
Regional cyber security training
If you work within the statutory sector in Northern Ireland you are required to complete cyber security training – it is important that you ensure this training is up-to-date.
As social workers, safeguarding and empowering those you work with to keep themselves safe will be vital– and this includes staying safe online. Below is a link to a regional resource, with sections for both adults and young people, developed by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) which will be useful when considering how to ensure you are equipped to support those you work with.
Online Safety Hub – Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland
Reflective learning exercises
Complete the exercises below and keep a record of your reflections.
We are always interested in ensuring our resources are valuable tools for the workforce and are keen to hear your feedback, or ideas for future topics which could be included in this resource.
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