What is e-safety?

e-Safety is essentially about creating a safe working environment when using new technologies. It is regularly associated with the use of the internet, but not exclusively, and it does involve adults as well as children.

"As in any other area of life, children and young people are vulnerable and may expose themselves to danger - knowingly or unknowingly - when using the internet and other digital technologies. Indeed, some young people may find themselves involved in activities which are inappropriate or possibly illegal.

One of the key risks of using the internet, email or chat services, is that young people may be exposed to inappropriate material. This may be material that is pornographic, hateful or violent in nature; that encourages activities that are dangerous or illegal; or that is just age-inappropriate or biased. One of the key benefits of the web is that it is open to all, but unfortunately this also means that those with extreme political, racist or sexual views, for example, are able to spread their distorted version of the world.

In the case of pornography and child abuse images, there is no doubt that the internet plays host to a large amount of legal and illegal material. Curiosity about pornography is a normal part of sexual development, but young people may be shocked by some of the material online. It is not known what the long-term effects of exposure to such images may be. Additionally, seeking out some aspects of pornography may be illegal and could result in a criminal conviction.

The threat of physical danger is perhaps the most worrying and extreme risk associated with the use of the internet and other technologies, and is probably the risk most reported by the media. A criminal minority make use of the internet and related services such as chat rooms to make contact with young people. The intention of these individuals is to establish and develop relationships with young people with the sole purpose of persuading them into relationships which they can progress to sexual activity. Paedophiles will often target specific individuals, posing as a young person with similar interests and hobbies in order to establish an online 'friendship."

"To ignore e-safety issues when implementing the requirements of Every Child Matters could ultimately lead to significant gaps in child protection policies, leaving children and young people vulnerable."

From: Safeguarding Children in a Digital World. Becta 2006

Last Modified: 06/08/2009 07:55:40
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