Tameside SCB

This guidance sets out what is expected from everybody in protecting children and young people from harm when they use electronic media of communication. It is intended to set out the principles of good practice in safeguarding children and young people from abuse or harm when they use electronic media. It should be used to inform single-agency procedures on both e-safety and the Acceptable Use of electronic media.

E-safety is not an ICT issue. It may involve the use of ICT but it is about protecting children and young people from harm. If you have a concern about actual significant harm to a child or young person, or the risk of significant harm, then go immediately to section 6 in this guidance.

Every child and young person in Tameside should be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult in Tameside. The use of electronic media for communication and learning has massively increased in recent years. This offers many benefits and this procedure is not intended to curtail that potential for fun, entertainment and learning. However, electronic media also pose some risks for children and young people if they are unaware of the way that information can be used by people with ill-intent to exploit or abuse them.

Child abuse is a very emotive and difficult subject for everyone involved. When electronic media is used to carry out the abuse it can be even more challenging because many people who are significant in the child’s life will not be very knowledgeable about the way that the electronic media work. Indeed it is likely that the child or young person will know more than the adults around them about how to use the media.

It is important to understand the feelings involved but not to allow them to interfere with our judgement about any action to be taken. Everyone should recognise their responsibility to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people by protecting them from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect and bullying.

This policy reflects the purpose of the Tameside Safeguarding Board (TSCB) and the content of the TSCB Child Protection Procedures (contained in Tameside Safeguarding Children Framework).

These include the following principles:

• The welfare of the child is paramount
• All children, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse, including neglect, bullying and exploitation.
• All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately

 Read the full Safeguarding Children in the use of Electronic Media here