Lesson Overview
| Duration | 60 minutes |
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| Key Stage | KS4 (Years 10-11) |
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| Subject Links | PSHE, Citizenship, Sociology, Law |
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| Resources Needed | Pupil handouts, Quiz, Presentation slides |
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Learning Objectives
- Understand rights and responsibilities as a digital citizen
- Recognise the various forms of online exploitation and how they are initiated
- Understand the legal framework around online harm
- Develop critical digital literacy skills for evaluating online content and contacts
- Know how to report online harm and access support
Key Information
- The average teenager spends over 7 hours a day on screens (not including schoolwork)
- 1 in 5 children aged 11-17 has received sexual messages online
- 60% of young people have experienced cyberbullying
- The IWF removed over 275,000 URLs hosting CSAM in 2024 alone
- Only 1 in 8 young people who experience online harm tell an adult
Legal Framework
- Online Safety Act 2023: platforms have a legal duty of care to users, especially children
- Communications Act 2003: malicious or offensive online communications are criminal
- Sexual Offences Act 2003: grooming, sexual communication with children, and arranging meetings are all criminal
- Revenge porn / non-consensual image sharing: up to 2 years imprisonment
- Cyberstalking: Protection from Harassment Act 1997 — up to 10 years in aggravated cases
- CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) — reports online sexual exploitation to police
Lesson Plan
5 mins Starter
Quick quiz: true or false about online safety. Establish baseline and address common myths.
10 mins Online Safety Act 2023
What does it mean for platforms and for users? What obligations do tech companies now have? What should young people expect from platforms they use?
12 mins Exploitation and Grooming Online
How does online grooming work — the stages, the platforms, the warning signs. Case study analysis.
12 mins Sextortion and Image-Based Abuse
What it is, how it starts, what to do if it happens to you. Emphasise: it is never the victim's fault. The police response to this has improved significantly.
10 mins Digital Citizenship in Practice
Privacy settings audit. Understanding app permissions. Evaluating the trustworthiness of online contacts.
6 mins Reporting and Support
CEOP, Childline, Revenge Porn Helpline, Samaritans. Step-by-step: what happens when you make a report.
⚠️ Safeguarding Considerations
- This session covers content that may be directly relevant to pupils' current experiences
- Sextortion content may be particularly triggering — ensure pastoral support is available
- If a pupil discloses they are being blackmailed with images, refer to DSL immediately — and to police via CEOP
- Do not ask to see images or evidence — you are not an investigator
- The NCA has a dedicated team for online child exploitation
If a pupil makes a disclosure during this session, follow your school's safeguarding procedures and refer to your DSL immediately.
Key Messages
- Platforms now have legal duties to protect children — the Online Safety Act 2023 is a significant shift
- If someone shares or threatens to share intimate images of you, you are a victim — go to the police
- Only 1 in 8 young people who experience online harm tell an adult — being that one person matters
- Online grooming follows predictable patterns — recognising them protects you and your friends
- CEOP reports go directly to law enforcement specialists — it works
Support Resources
| Organisation | Contact | Purpose |
|---|
| Childline | 0800 1111 | 24/7 support for young people |
| Crimestoppers | 0800 555 111 | 100% anonymous reporting |
| CEOP | ceop.police.uk | Report online exploitation |
| NSPCC | 0808 800 5000 | Child protection advice |
| Emergency | 999 | Immediate danger |