The Boys’ Brigade is committed to prioritising the safety and well-being of children and young people in everything that we do. The online world provides opportunities and is an important part of everyday life. However, it can also present risks and challenges that are constantly changing. We have a duty to ensure that all children and young people, and adults in our organisation, are protected from potential online harm.
The purpose of this policy, together with the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), is to ensure that all members of The Boys’ Brigade use digital platforms and online communication in a safe, respectful, and responsible manner, in line with BB values, and that any inappropriate online behaviours and concerns are recognised, responded to and promptly reported.
This Policy applies to anyone working on behalf of The Boys’ Brigade, including Trustees, staff, volunteer leaders, youth volunteers, and external parties interacting with BB platforms.
This policy has been drawn up taking account of relevant legislation, including the Data Protection Act 2018, UK General Data Protection Regulation, Online Safety Act 2023, Communications Act 2003 and relevant regional safeguarding guidance. For England and Wales, the Charity Commission Social Media Guidance has also been considered.
This policy links with a number of other policies, procedures and BB guidance, including but not limited to the Safeguarding Policy Statement, Safeguarding Policy and Procedures, Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedures, Data Protection Policy, Leaders Code of Conduct, and Complaints Policy.
Staff and volunteer leaders have important responsibilities with regard to online safety, some of which are role-specific as outlined below.
It is important for staff, trustees, and volunteer leaders to note that online conduct, even in their private lives, can have an impact on their roles, their reputation and the reputation of the organisation. Inappropriate, unacceptable or criminal behaviour will be investigated. Depending on the seriousness, this could lead to suspension and statutory agencies referrals, such as to the Police, Children’s Social Care, and vetting and barring authorities.
Any breach of this policy should be reported as outlined below.
Complaints or disputes should follow the Complaints Policy here.
Unacceptable conduct or poor practice (as per Leaders’ Code of Conduct) must be reported to safeguarding@boys-brigade.org.uk
The Boys’ Brigade follows the same safeguarding principles online and offline, but recognises that some types of harm can happen only, or mostly, online. The Boys’ Brigade expects staff and volunteer leaders to recognise, respond to, report and record all safeguarding concerns, whether they occur online or offline, in accordance with BB Safeguarding procedures.
Always remember: In any situation where you think a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm, contact the emergency services. You still need to report this as outlined above.
This is anything posted or encountered online, including words, images, and videos. Children and young people may see illegal, inappropriate, or harmful content when online. This can include, but is not limited to, pornography, fake news, racism, misogyny, self-harm, suicide, antisemitism, radicalisation, and extremism.
This is about the risk of harm that children and young people may face when interacting with other users online. This can include friends, strangers, and online communities. There may be young person to young person pressure, bullying using the internet and exposure to inappropriate commercial advertising. Sometimes adults pose as young people with the intention of grooming or exploiting a child or young person for criminal sexual purposes, or to blackmail the young person for financial or other purposes. Young people may also engage with influencers who promote negative and harmful ideas.
This refers to the way people behave online. Some online behaviour can increase the likelihood of, or cause harm, such as online bullying, sharing or receiving nudes and semi-nude images, and viewing or sending pornography. It is important to be mindful of how your online actions are perceived by others, and to avoid engaging in harmful or inappropriate behaviours.
This is about the risk from things like online gambling, inappropriate advertising, phishing, financial scams and sharing personal information online. It includes online transactions and data collections.
This policy, along with the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) will be reviewed every three years or in the following circumstances:
This policy was approved on 6th June 2025.
CEOP Child Exploitation and Online Protection https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/
ChildLine 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/
IWF Internet Watch Foundation https://www.iwf.org.uk/
NSPCC https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/#guides
Child Line Report Remove – This is the confidential way that people under 18 can confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet. https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/report-remove/
Children and young people: This includes Anchors, Juniors, Company, Seniors and Youth Volunteers.
Volunteer Leader: Any registered leader. This includes all Company, Battalion and District Roles. It includes volunteers who work directly with children and young people members, and those with no direct contact.
Digital platforms: Including social media, websites, apps and online software.
Member: Includes young members and adult members.
Social media: Any digital communications that allow you to communicate with more than one person at a time, such as Facebook, X, WhatsApp or Instagram.
Staff: Anyone employed by The Boys’ Brigade, whether permanent, fixed term or contracted.
