As you teach Smart Klick’s online safety curriculum, consider the following guidance:

Teaching with a Victim-Centred Approach ​

These lessons may be triggering for students, especially victims of sextortion or online abuse. Keep reading to learn how you can teach the topic in a supportive, victim-centred way.​

Preparing to teach about online safety

  • Give yourself time to prepare for the lesson ​

  • Read through all the material ​

  • Familiarise yourself with any terminology/phrases – particularly the slide of ‘key terms’ on the lesson deck. ​

  • Ask questions to other teachers if unsure of anything or use the Smart Klick website to research more information if this is available to you.

Create a safe environment

  • Think carefully about your own values and experiences and how they may influence your teaching. It is important to stay neutral when discussing topics and not be influenced by your own cultural, faith-based or religious beliefs. ​

  • You may have your own strong opinions or personal experiences, but you should approach the topics without judgement and respect the experiences of those in the class. ​

  • This will help you to build trust with the young people and help them to feel comfortable within the space. ​

  • If young people share thoughts or ask questions, show you are listening. Do not judge anything they may say or ask. ​

  • It is ok to make mistakes or to not know the answer – be open and honest and tell them that you will find out the answers for them. ​

  • Use appropriate and inclusive language and don’t use terms or sentences that suggest they may be to blame for anything that happens to them online. ​

Answering Questions

  • Think carefully about your own values and experiences and how they may influence your teaching. It is important to stay neutral when discussing topics and not be influenced by your own cultural, faith-based or religious beliefs. ​

  • You may have your own strong opinions or personal experiences, but you should approach the topics without judgement and respect the experiences of those in the class. ​

  • This will help you to build trust with the young people and help them to feel comfortable within the space. ​

  • If young people share thoughts or ask questions, show you are listening. Do not judge anything they may say or ask. ​

  • It is ok to make mistakes or to not know the answer – be open and honest and tell them that you will find out the answers for them. ​

  • Use appropriate and inclusive language and don’t use terms or sentences that suggest they may be to blame for anything that happens to them online. ​

Handling Disclosures

  • If a child tells you about something that has happened to them, show you care. Give them your full attention, compassion and understanding. ​

  • Take your time to listen, slow down, don’t interrupt what they are saying. ​

  • Do not judge ​

  • Offer private space to talk if they are disclosing something in front of a group. ​

  • Tell them that they can speak to you again if they need someone to listen.

✅ Do:

  • Listen and accept what they are saying. ​

  • Reassure them that they have done the right thing ​

  • Tell them what will happen after they have spoken to you ​

  • If needed, ensure that the child receives immediate support from the Child Protection specialist ​

  • If you think a child might be at risk of harm, you may be required to report this to the police – do this with the support of the child protection specialist​ ​

  • Signpost them to other places they can receive support

❌ Don’t:

  • Promise confidentiality​

  • Judge their actions or experiences ​

  • Tell them that it is their fault ​

  • Share their stories openly with others and cause embarrassment for the child ​

  • Give the child your personal contact details