Article – Should Schools Still Publish Photos of Pupils Online?

With the release of the IWF Annual Data Insights Report 2025 coupled with some horrific examples I’m hearing I thought it was about time we revisit this subject. If you’re a regular reader of this weekly update you will know that image-based abuse using AI tools is increasingly significantly. Irrespective of the fact that billions of images are posted online every day, a big concern is where individuals (staff/pupils) are targeted using publicly-available ‘normal’ photos.

The purpose of the article is simple: to raise the profile of this concern and get people talking.

Link: Should schools still publish photos of pupils online?

360Safe Updates

360Safe is a free (for schools) online safety self-review tool provided by the South West Grid for Learning used by thousands of schools.

Over the years the tool and included guidance has gone through many changes to keep up to date with and reflect changes in national guidance, as well as making the tool easier to use. 

SWGfL published their latest changes last week which includes significant updates to policy templates, new statements, a new cyber security aspect and more. If you already use 360Safe or are considering it this article is worth a read.

Link: Updates to the 360 Degree Safe Online Safety Self-Review Tool.

New Childline Posters

Not specifically online safety related but I think these new posters from Childline would be welcomed by a lot of schools. There are versions for both Primary and Secondary schools.

Link: New Childline posters encouraging children to seek help.

The Online Safety Act: Are Children Safer Online?

This is a new report from Internet Matters using data from surveys and focus groups offering a few of how new online safety rules are shaping families lives.

It’s a very interesting report, e.g.:

• Seven in 10 children and parents report seeing more safety features such as ways to report and filter content.
• Around half of children have been asked to verify their age on platforms.
• 54% of children report that the content they have seen online recently is more child-friendly.

But:

• Almost half of children think age checks are easy to bypass (fake birthday, drawing on facial hair).
• A quarter of parents have allowed their child to bypass age checks.
• Almost half of children say they have experienced harm online in the past month.

Link: Internet Matters Report – The Online safety Act: are children safer online?

For Parents – How to Talk to Children if they see Traumatic Events

Many children will have seen or heard some of the horrific events that have been happening recently. Whether that’s on the news, someone discussing it, or perhaps online, children can be traumatised by what they are seeing and hearing.

This article from The Conversation discusses the issue and gives some really good advice.

Link: The Conversation – How to talk to children when terrorist attacks and violence dominate the news.