Social media is a powerful tool for nurseries and preschools to connect with parents and promote their settings. Sharing posts that highlight daily activities, events, or achievements can create a sense of community and showcase the enriching experiences provided for children. However, when it comes to using social media, safeguarding must be a paramount consideration. Sharing images, videos, or information about children comes with significant responsibilities to protect their privacy, security, and well-being.

This article explores the key safeguarding considerations for early years settings using social media and offers practical guidance for ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Consent and Permissions

One of the most critical safeguarding considerations is obtaining explicit, informed consent from parents or legal guardians before sharing any content involving children. This should include:

Written Agreements: Consent should be documented and specify what types of content can be shared, where it will be shared, and for how long it will remain accessible.

Opt-Out Options: Parents must have the opportunity to decline participation without fear of discrimination or disadvantage for their child.

Regular Updates: Consent should be reviewed periodically to ensure it remains current and aligned with parents' preferences.

If a parent or guardian withholds consent, their child’s image or information must never be included in social media posts.

Protecting Children's Privacy

Even with consent, it is essential to safeguard children's identities and locations. This includes:

Avoiding Identifiers: Do not include children's names, school uniforms, or other identifiable details in posts.

Restricting Location Information: Avoid posting in real-time from recognisable locations to minimise risks.

Limiting Sharing Settings: Use privacy controls to restrict who can view content, ensuring it is only accessible to your intended audience.

Adhering to the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR

Sharing content on social media must comply with data protection laws, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This involves:

Collecting and Storing Data Responsibly: Images and videos are considered personal data. Ensure they are stored securely and only used for the purposes outlined in the consent agreement.

Providing Transparency: Inform parents about how their data is processed, stored, and shared.

Enabling Rights: Respect parents' rights to withdraw consent at any time and promptly remove any associated content if requested.

Risks of Oversharing

Oversharing information on social media can inadvertently expose children to risks such as online predators, identity theft, or misuse of images. Early years settings should develop clear policies that outline:

Content Limits: Establish what types of content are appropriate to share. For example, focus on group activities or achievements rather than individual portraits.

Approval Processes: Implement a system where all posts are reviewed and approved by a senior staff member before being published.

Training and Staff Awareness

All staff must be trained on safeguarding and social media policies. This includes:

Understanding Risks: Ensuring staff are aware of potential dangers and how to mitigate them.

Appropriate Use: Establishing guidelines for staff's personal social media use, ensuring professional boundaries are maintained.

Reporting Concerns: Encouraging staff to report any safeguarding concerns arising from social media activity.

Building Trust with Parents

Using social media responsibly helps build trust with parents. Regularly communicate your social media policies and reassure parents that their children's safety is a priority. Transparency fosters confidence in your setting’s safeguarding practices.

Responding to Safeguarding Incidents

If a safeguarding concern arises related to social media use, immediate action must be taken. This may involve:

Removing Content: Promptly deleting any posts that may pose a risk.

Reporting Issues: Notifying your designated safeguarding lead (DSL) and, if necessary, external agencies such as the local authority or police.

Reviewing Policies: Evaluating and updating social media policies to prevent similar issues in the future.

Social media can be a valuable tool for promoting early years settings, but it comes with serious safeguarding responsibilities. By obtaining informed consent, protecting children's privacy, adhering to data protection laws, and implementing robust policies, nurseries and preschools can use social media safely and effectively. Maintaining a vigilant and proactive approach ensures that children’s well-being remains at the heart of all online activities.