Supporting LGBT children online

We have partnered with Stonewall to produce this resource for professionals to support LGBT children online. The internet offers LGBT children and young people a sense of belonging, community and support as well as providing new ways to create, entertain, express themselves, find allies and be activists.

All young people’s experiences are unique, and it’s important that as professionals supporting children, we also understand and appreciate the specific risks and challenges that may arise. LGBT children have the right to feel safe, protected and happy online, and schools play an important role in supporting and safeguarding them.

We hope that this guide will support professionals to develop practical strategies to best support all their pupils online, including those who identify as LGBT.

What does this guide cover?

• What LGBT young people experience online
• Best practice in schools and colleges with regards to online safety for your whole school community
• Top tips for young people
• Engaging parents and carers including a handout
• Responding if things go wrong
• Further resources and places for support

Download Guidance Staying safe online PDF Format (2.51MB)

Index Guide

• AN INTRODUCTION FROM STONEWALL 3 
• AN INTRODUCTION FROM CHILDNET 4 
• CHILDNET DIGITAL CHAMPIONS 5 
• SECTION 1 - WHAT DO LGBT YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCE ONLINE? 
• Life online 9 
• How does being LGBT shape children and young people’s online experiences? 11 
• Key areas of online activity 13 
• Sharing online 13 
• Sexting and nudes 14 
• What are the risks? 14 
• Content 16 
• Communicating with others 20 
• Digital wellbeing 24 
• SECTION 2 - BEST PRACTICE IN SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES 
• Championing a whole-setting approach to positive and healthy online life 27 
• Filtering 29 
• Online safety policies 29 
• Top tips for increasing the profile of a new policy 30 
• Online safety curriculum 31 
• Staff training 31 
• Websites and organisations for relevant information on LGBT issues 32 
• Speaking to children and young people about their lives online 33 
• Top tips for young people 36 
• Engaging parents and carers 38 
• Handout for parents and carers 40 
• Responding if things go wrong 42 
• Safeguarding 43 
• Barriers to reporting 44 
• What can schools do to remove or reduce these barriers? 46 
• Reporting websites 48 
• What the law says 48 
• Further resources 50

Source Childnet