Schools in Guernsey are expanding lessons on online safety to help children better understand emerging digital threats, including AI-generated deepfakes, nudifying applications, online grooming and sextortion.
The enhanced education forms part of a broader effort by schools, health services and safeguarding agencies to prepare young people for the growing risks associated with online activity. The initiative reflects increasing concern over the impact of harmful sexual content and technology-enabled abuse on children and teenagers.
New safeguarding figures highlight ongoing concerns
According to the Sexual and Reproductive Health Strategy Annual Report 2025, safeguarding services received referrals involving 20 cases of child sexual exploitation during the year. The report also recorded 96 referrals linked to sexual abuse and 72 involving harmful sexual behaviour.
The figures have prompted authorities to place greater emphasis on prevention, recognising that many risks now emerge through digital platforms and social media rather than solely through face-to-face contact.
Officials described today’s online environment as increasingly complex, requiring children to understand not only traditional online safety issues but also newer technologies capable of creating realistic manipulated images and videos.
Schools widen focus beyond traditional internet safety
Rather than limiting lessons to general internet awareness, schools are now teaching pupils how grooming can develop through online communication, how AI-generated deepfakes can be used to exploit or manipulate individuals, and how nudifying applications can create sexually explicit images without consent.
Education around sextortion is also being strengthened, helping young people recognise attempts to coerce or blackmail victims into sharing intimate images or making payments.
The updated approach is designed to give children practical knowledge about identifying harmful behaviour, protecting personal information and seeking help if they encounter suspicious or abusive online interactions.
Parents also included in prevention efforts
Authorities are extending their focus beyond the classroom by providing parents with guidance on digital safety.
The aim is to help families better understand the online platforms and technologies children use while encouraging conversations about privacy, consent and responsible online behaviour. Officials believe that involving parents alongside schools can improve early identification of potential risks and strengthen safeguarding efforts.
A coordinated response to evolving digital threats
The online safety programme is part of a wider multi-agency partnership involving education, health and safeguarding organisations working together to protect children.
As artificial intelligence tools and digital communication continue to evolve, officials say safeguarding strategies must adapt as well. By updating educational programmes and supporting parents, Guernsey hopes to equip young people with the knowledge needed to navigate online spaces more safely while reducing the risk of exploitation and abuse
