Online Safety
The Government’s Action Plan for Online Safety, notes that “it is now almost impossible to imagine a world without the internet or to imagine a future where the internet has less of a role in our lives than it does today.”
It is important that we acknowledge the central role of the internet in all of our lives and that we support children and young people to take advantage of all of the unprecedented opportunities to learn, discover, create and communicate that new technologies provide.
However, while they are often confident and competent users of new technologies, children and young people may be less aware of the inherent risks involved. It is important to support and encourage children to develop safe and responsible online behaviours.
Children First operates on the premise that it is the responsibility of everyone in society to keep children and young people safe from harm. Children First National Guidance outlines that all organisations working with children and young people are required to create a culture of safety that promotes the welfare of children and young people availing of their services. This responsibility includes keeping children safe from harm online.