Harmful Sexual Behavior Online
The internet for the main part has been a welcome addition for educators, having instant resources and knowledge in real-time. However, our online presence also provides harmful challenges in communication our young people may have whilst online. This is where schools must invest in their contextual safeguarding strategy. Schools need to understand the risks, and challenges, and engage students to empower them to keep themselves safe. Contextual safeguarding recognises that our students will face challenges from their neighbourhoods, schools and online; especially true as they transition into secondary school and adolescence.
Contextual Safeguarding
Contextual Safeguarding Research has found, unsurprisingly, that having a zero-tolerance approach with adolescents will not protect them. Adolescence is a time for exploring identity, taking risks and exploring what the world has to offer. Neuroscience teaches us that the adolescent brain is still developing its prefrontal cortex; the area of the brain responsible for decision making, reflecting on action and consequences, problem solving and impulse control. Simply telling adolescents not to do something as it is dangerous will not stop the behaviour. Added to this our more vulnerable students may gravitate to the internet in the hope of having their emotional needs met.
Schools should, therefore, develop a safer online identity strategy. Below are links to aid this process: here are some resources to help.
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