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Publication - Advice and guidance

Supporting disabled children, young people and their families: guidance

Last updated
8 November 2023 - see all updates
Directorate
Children and Families Directorate
Topic
Children and families

Guidance to help improve the experiences of disabled children, young people, and their families.

Internet safety

In this section you can find…

What the Scottish Government is doing

Stay up to date on the Scottish Government's child internet safety page

We published our National Action Plan on Internet Safety for Children and Young People in April 2017 to help protect and keep children and young people safe online. This plan sets out our priorities for equipping children and young people to stay safe online and help professionals, parents and carers to support children in their online activity.

The internet is central to our everyday lives and those of our children and young people. It should be a positive, fun place to interact. We are committed to making sure child internet safety is properly recognised in Scottish education and wider child protection policies.

Young people are spending more time on the internet, with UK-wide statistics stating that 53% of 3-4 year olds are now online, rising to 94% of 8-11 year olds. Parents and carers play a crucial role in empowering children and young people by ensuring an open dialogue with their children, teaching them to use technology safely and positively, and by acting as digital role models.

Any abuse or exploitation of young people is unacceptable and should be properly addressed. We take online safety incredibly seriously and in the extreme, but thankfully rare, cases where this involves a criminal act we will work with partners to see those responsible brought to justice, whether this is in Scotland, the UK or further afield.

We are engaging with the UK Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport as they develop a new Internet Safety Strategy and legislation. And, through our membership of the UK Council for Internet Safety Executive Board, we continue to engage in UK-wide discussions with social media companies and technology firms, focusing on their responsibilities to society and how technology can help improve online safety.

More information for children and young people

More information for parents and carers

Sources of support and advice

Educational resources

First published
24 April 2019
Last updated
8 November 2023 - show all updates

  1. Updated financial support and transitions sections.

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