Equilibrium

Part five - a new emphasis The updated statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026, introduces important developments in how we protect children. While there are plenty of operational updates to digest before September, the most notable refinements are concentrated in Part Five: Child-on-child sexual harassment and sexual violence. The Department for Education (DfE) has structured this section to support a more proactive, digital-aware culture. To keep

There is a huge shift coming to the UK digital landscape. The government is planning a major social media ban for under-16s. But while the headlines sound like a quick fix, busy parents and teachers are left wondering: what does this actually mean for our children? At Equilibrium, we know that rules and filters are helpful, but they aren't enough on their own. Here is your quick, no-nonsense guide to what is changing and how you can prepare. The Headlines: What You Really

There is a safeguarding story unfolding in plain sight — and too many adults are still missing it. When we talk about online sexual harm, the conversation often still centres on girls, harmful content and damaging influencers. That risk remains real. But it is no longer the whole picture. Why we need to talk to boys about sextortion now A growing number of children are being targeted online through sexual coercion, manipulation and blackmail — and most of them are boys. This

Media coverage of online communities and their influence on attitudes and behaviour Recent media coverage—most notably the Netflix documentary Inside the Manosphere and the BBC’s Men of the Manosphere—has cast a harsh spotlight on a sprawling digital subculture. For many parents and educators, these programs offer a "truly terrifying" glimpse into a world where misogyny is not just present, but monetized and algorithmic. But as the headlines fade, schools and families are lef

How digital harms are shaping behaviour and attitudes and impacting safeguarding The Department for Education has recently released the draft for Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026. This statutory guidance is the "safeguarding bible" for schools, and the latest revisions signal a major shift in how we protect children from rapidly evolving digital risks. With the public consultation open until 22 April 2026, it is vital for both school staff and parents to unders

🧠 Rethinking safeguarding in a modern age As professionals in education, a key aim is to ensure that pupils in our schools are safe. When it comes to safeguarding children and young people from Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE), the focus until recently has largely been on protecting children from adult perpetrators. As technology has developed, our perception of safeguarding has widened to include the impact of the online world. Data from the National Police Chiefs