Safeguarding Childhood Today
- Mark Lloyd
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
🧠 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 Council (NPCC) indicates that more than half of CSAE cases involve reports of children aged 10 to 17 offending against other children.
In 2021, OFSTED raised concerns about the normalisation of harmful sexual behaviours and attitudes within schools.
In 2023, the Children’s Commissioner linked this rise in harmful sexual behaviours and attitudes to “the content and cultures that children are exposed to online, including pornography, misogynistic trolling and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.”
Our perception of safeguarding in a modern age must therefore include protecting children and young people from content and culture—both online and offline—that normalises or perpetuates harmful behaviours and attitudes.
Today’s newsletter highlights key themes within this area:
The Equilibrium Project
Our project works with schools to help them engage with the challenges of harmful sexual language, content and behaviours and its impact of the attitudes and behaviours of pupils.
Our partnership with ConnectEd means you can access this support for free:
Our online surveys helps develop pupil voice, assess staff confidence and engage parents
Our curriculum resources are based on extensive data about the key themes school need to focus on the foster positive relationships and attitudes
Our training and support helps you plan your next steps.
Contact us as equilibrium@onlinebehaviours.co.uk
📃 “Sex is kind of broken now”: children and pornography (A report from the Children’s Commissioner)
The Children’s Commissioner’s most recent report builds on findings from 2 years prior (“A lot of it is actually just abuse”), describing it as “among the most sobering my office has ever published.” Key findings include:
70% of young people have seen online pornography before 18; over a quarter by age 11.
Many pupils first encounter harmful sexual content in upper primary, often accidentally.
Social media platforms (e.g., X/Twitter, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram) are major sources of sexualised and pornographic content for children despite claims of moderation and filtering.
Large numbers of pupils report exposure to violent, extreme, and illegal sexual content.
Pupils with SEND, disabilities, those in receipt of free school meals (FSM), or receiving support from social services are more likely to be exposed to pornography early or repeatedly.
Almost half of pupils agreed with the statement: “Girls may say no at first but then can be persuaded to have sex” (those who had viewed pornography are more likely to agree than those who haven’t).
Recommendations from the Children’s Commissioner:
Treat exposure to harmful sexual content and the surrounding culture as a safeguarding concern, not a behavioural one.
Implement new RSHE guidance in a manner that is most effective for pupils.
📚 New RSHE Guidance Reminder
The Department for Education has published updated RSHE guidance that schools are expected to implement by September 2026. Key points for staff:
Schools have a window (now until Sept 2026) to embed the guidance effectively.
The guidance places a strong focus on online content and behaviours, including:
The risk of exposure to harmful content
Recognising and responding to harmful child-on-child sexual behaviours.
Creating participative curriculums that foster an open culture built around pupil voice and relevant teaching
RSHE is framed as central to safeguarding, not just a classroom subject; early, consistent teaching is essential.
Schools should ensure all pupils, particularly vulnerable groups (SEND, FSM, social care support), receive age-appropriate, relevant RSHE that addresses real-life digital risks.
This guidance gives schools a clear framework to protect pupils while promoting safe, respectful relationships in both online and offline environments.
📺 Ore Oduba’s 30-year battle
Former Strictly Come Dancing winner Ore Oduba revealed in a podcast that he battled pornography addiction for almost 30 years, starting at age nine. Key points:
Early exposure to pornography can have long-term effects, including becoming a coping mechanism for underlying trauma.
Shame and secrecy make it difficult for young people to seek help.
Oduba’s story highlights the importance of openness, relevant RSHE teaching, and developing cultures where young people can discuss these issues safely.
📰 In the News
AI-Generated Sexual Deepfakes Targeting Young People
Concerns are rising about “nudification” and deepfake apps creating sexual content without consent.
The Children’s Commissioner has called for an immediate ban, citing disproportionate targeting of girls and the promotion of misogyny.
Schools are encouraged to update safeguarding policies to include AI-generated image abuse and teach pupils about consent in digital spaces.
Survey Shows Young Men Increasingly Desensitised to Non-Consensual Sexual Content
Police-commissioned surveys show that some young men feel “unconcerned” about non-consensual sexual deepfakes.
This reflects a broader trend of encountering misogynistic attitudes online, which increases the risk of harmful behaviour and harassment.
Government Tightens Rules on Violent Pornography
The UK Government is moving to criminalise pornographic content depicting strangulation to reduce harmful influences on children.
Schools are encouraged to address these issues within updated RSHE guidance, emphasising healthy relationships and respect.
Final Thoughts and Key Amendments for Schools
As safeguarding professionals, it is critical to consider the following:
Broaden the scope of safeguarding: Recognise that harmful sexual content and cultural influences can come from peers and digital platforms, not just adults.
Update policies and practice: Ensure school safeguarding policies explicitly reference online content, AI-generated imagery, and harmful sexual cultures.
Embed RSHE effectively: Tailor teaching to address real-life experiences of pupils, including early exposure to pornography, peer-to-peer sexual harm, and consent in digital spaces.
Focus on inclusion and vulnerability: Pay particular attention to pupils with SEND, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those receiving social services support, who are at higher risk.
Foster openness and safe reporting: Encourage pupils to discuss concerns without shame and provide clear pathways for reporting.
Staff training: DSLs and RSHE leads should ensure all staff are confident recognising early signs of harmful sexual behaviours and engaging with emerging trends, such as AI deepfakes.
Plan for RSHE implementation: Use the window until September 2026 to integrate the new RSHE guidance fully, with a clear focus on online risks, digital consent, and peer-to-peer behaviours.
Ultimately, safeguarding today requires a modern, proactive approach—one that considers online and offline influences, promotes healthy sexual development, and empowers pupils to make safe and informed choices.
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