Policy Templates
Sample Online Safety Policy Templates
Templates created by online safety experts that organisations can customise for their own use.
Every organisation that works with children needs to have an online safety policy that sets out a commitment to keeping children and young people safe online.
The templates have been designed by experts in the NSPCC and informed by the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) partners, in accordance with the NI Executive’s Online Safety Strategy.
Download the templates to get an idea of the types of things to include in your policy. Remember to adapt them to suit the nature of your setting.
The templates should be read in conjunction with:
Co-operating to Safeguard Children and young people in Northern Ireland provides the overarching policy framework for safeguarding children and young people in the statutory, private, independent, community, voluntary and faith sectors. It states:
“Organisations which engage with children and young people using e-technology should have a specific e-safety policy in place which has been made available to parents and young people. This should outline how the organisation mitigates against risk of harm and help ensure as far as possible that children and young people engaging with the organisation online are kept safe when doing so. All staff and volunteers who have contact with children should promote the safe and responsible use of technology in its many forms. All staff and volunteers should know how to respond if a child directly divulges an e-safety incident and how to escalate it appropriately.”
Templates
Advice on writing an online safety policy
It guides organisations on how to draft an online safety policy and makes suggestions on content. It should be read alongside the online safety policy template.
Online safety policy
Key content that organisations should consider when drafting an online safety policy. The document should be read in conjunction with advice on writing online safety policy and can be adapted by an organisation to suit the nature of the setting.
Photography and filming policy
It describes the safeguarding measures that need to be in place to ensure that the use of photographs and videos on the internet and social media do not put children at risk.
Photography and video consent form
Use this consent form to obtain permission from both the young person and their parent/guardian when taking photos and videos of children in your organisation. It should be used alongside the photography and filming policy template to help protect children from harm that could arise from the potential misuse of images or video.
Social media policy
It provides advice on how organisations can establish procedures for social media use and the safeguards that need to be in place to encourage safe use for young people and members of your organisation.
Acceptable use of internet and social media agreement
Creating and signing an acceptable use statement, along with adherence to the policy and guidance, will help ensure that children and young people are aware of what online behaviour is acceptable and safe use of the internet and social media.