Empower your practice

Barnardo’s Online risk guide is designed for professionals working with young people, to help them understand and manage risks associated with online activities. You can:

search for information about potential online risks
hear experiences from young people
discover practical steps to help educate, protect and mitigate against online risks

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Search for an online risk

For example, finsta or TikTok

Explore different types of online risks

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Gift cards & prepaid cards

Gift cards & prepaid cards can be used by children and young people to spend and transfer money on and offline. Due to being harder to trace and track, they can be misused for money laundering, fraud, scams, child exploitation and coercion.

AI glasses

AI glasses are eyewear with integrated AI technology. Functions can include: cameras and microphones, augmented displays, calls and messages, navigation and maps, information and search, translation.

Social media pressure

Young people can feel pressure around social media. This can include pressure to: constantly use apps, follow trends and fit in and compare themselves to others.

Violent online coercion networks

Violent online coercion networks are virtual networks of criminals who engage in illegal acts, including the grooming and coercion of children.

AI chatbots

AI chatbots, for example ChatGPT, use generative AI to give human-like responses. They use LLMs (large language models) to provide dynamic and personalised responses to simulate human interaction.

Nudification apps

Nudification and undress apps use AI to create ‘deepfake’ sexual images of people. These can be based on real images that have been ‘undressed’ or ‘nudified’.

Finsta accounts

A finsta is a private secondary social media account, originally associated with Instagram but now common across platforms like TikTok and Snapchat, used to share more unfiltered or personal content with a small, trusted audience.

Adultification

Adultification is when children are perceived as older than they are. Online spaces can amplify this through algorithms, mixed-age environments, and reduced age-based safeguards.

Explore how young people experience life online

"The guide provides concrete examples of what young people are exposed to which makes it more practical and relevant. The articles are concise and allow you to quickly grasp the key points, while also offering opportunities to explore these topics in more depth."

Barnardo's practitioner

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Everything you need to share the guide

We’ve created a handy pack with everything you need to raise awareness of Barnardo’s Online risk guide in your workplace.

Inside you’ll find:

A quick explainer for you and your colleagues
Posters to print and pin up in staff areas

Download the information guide and poster pack

Join our community of practice

Learn from others, share your experiences, and stay informed about emerging online risks. To join simply go to My Account and turn on Community of Practice updates.

Upcoming event: AI and Children’s Mental Health webinar
20th October 11:00 - 12:00

We'll explore how young people are turning to AI for mental health support, the risks and opportunities, and what safe, AI-enabled care looks like. Further information and registration.