Keeping Safe Online

For most young people the online environment is a positive space which provides young people with a wealth of information and opportunities for connection across the world.  However, in addition to many benefits, being online brings huge challenges, and risks for young people, including worrying, inappropriate, and sometimes dangerous content.

On this page you can access our recommended resources and suite of valuable guides (see links below) including our Smart Devices & Social Media Statement and the National Online Safety guidance and resources. From social media and gaming, to online challenges and conversation starters, our library is expansive. 

There are so many renowned online safety experts who share valuable insight and resources: www.ceop.police.uk, Common Sense Media, Qoria, Devorah Heitner, Dr Jean Twenge, Jessica Chalmers, Dr Lisa Damour, Jonathan Haidt, National Online Safety, NSPCC, Titania Jordan, Thinkuknow.co.uk, and UK Safer Internet Centre.

The documentaries Adolescence, Swiped, Childhood 2.0 and The Social Dilemma are recommended as is the Ezra Klein Show podcast: the Teen mental health crisis, episodes 1 & 2 (May 2023). Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation and Dr Vivek Murthy’s The Social Media and Youth Mental Health Advisory are very insightful reads. And there are also many campaigns to delay the smartphone that are worth following including @smartphonefreechildhood, @delaysmartphones and safescreens.org.

On a related note, the 2025 Richard Dimbleby Lecture is an incredibly important watch. In the lecture, former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate reflects on his personal journey, what he has lived through and what he has learned as a leader. He explores the concept of belief, examines the power of unity and highlights the importance of resilience, especially for young people (his speech focuses on young men in particular) in a fast-changing and challenging world. His powerful speech focuses also on the importance of in real life role models over spending time searching for direction online.

Adolescence TV Drama

This 4-episode hard-hitting TV drama premiered on Netflix in early 2025 and is the definition of must-see TV if you're parenting in the smartphone era. Hailed as flawless TV for its production values (filmed in one continuous shot), outstanding acting but most importantly it is of huge cultural significance and addresses the pressures and questions of adolescence. It's a harrowing, upsetting and uncomfortable watch but an important one and although it is largely about the current world of boys, it is of huge cultural significance and impacts us all. Due to its mature themes, strong language and distressing subject matter it is for mature audiences, therefore, we recommend parents make an informed decision before inviting their children to view it. Regardless of whether your children watch it, the themes explored are vital conversation points for families.

To support parents/carers as we all continue to navigate these complex topics and trends please take time to review the many online safety resources below including the 'sinister emoji table'. Also, Smoothwall, part of Qoria, a digital technology company dedicated to children's online safety, has created this excellent resource. For each of the six episodes, it provides a synopsis, key take aways and specific resources for parents/carers. 

Thank you in advance for your support. We need to work together to support our young people, and we are stronger when we all do the same.