According to Ofcom’s report on Media use and Attitudes the majority of homes with children aged 0-18 (97%) had access to the internet in 2022. Subsequently, the internet is an increasingly targeted arena for abuse, grooming and bullying. With young children often being left independently to traverse online spaces, it is crucial to prioritise their safety through robust safeguarding procedures and education on risks. The Governments recent passing of the landmark Online Safety Act has brought significant regulations and laws surrounding harmful content and keeping children safe online. In light of these changes, schools and professionals working with children can build upon existing good work by sharing exemplary best practice and key insights into effectively safeguarding children from online harms.

• 80% of children have reported that they wanted to leave a social media platform for their wellbeing, but felt they were unable to do so (YoungMinds, 2023)
• 36% of children aged 8-17 have said they had seen something ‘worrying or nasty’ online in the past year (Ofcom, 2022)
• According to the NSPCC, in the last 5 years there has been an 82% rise in online grooming crimes against children
• Since 2017, at least 1 in 20 children have experienced online sexual risks or harm (NSPCC, 2023).

Join us at this one day online conference to hear experts discuss the latest initiatives and approaches to help protect children against online harms. Engage with best practice case studies addressing issues such as safeguarding children against radicalisation, engaging with parents and carers on online safety, and offering trauma-informed responses to online abuse. You will also have the opportunity to network with senior colleagues from the public and voluntary sectors to share common challenges and initiate support in protecting children online.

Why attend:
• High-level keynotes on the latest initiatives on protecting children online from policymakers and leading experts
• Case studies showing best practice in strategies that implement school-wide policies on online safety and best safeguard children
• A wide range of topics including radicalisation online, providing support for children with SEND, and co-producing digital safeguarding strategies
• Network with senior colleagues from across the public and voluntary sectors
• Gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota.