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The Digital World: What Every Teacher Needs to Know

  • Writer: Charlie
    Charlie
  • Apr 20
  • 4 min read

In today’s classrooms, safeguarding doesn’t stop at the school gates. The small devices students carry every day bring the outside world inside — and with it, risks that many teachers are still learning to navigate.


This guide narrows down what every teacher should be aware of, no matter what age group you teach. Helping you stay informed, alert, and ready to support your students.




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Key Terms You NEED To Know


  • Sextortion: This growing issue involves someone convincing or coercing a student into sending explicit images or videos, then threatening to share the explicit content unless demands are met. Common apps used in these activities are Snapchat, Discord, and Instagram.

  • Doxxing: When a student's personal information (full name, address, school, and more) is deliberately leaked online. Often used as an intimidation technique to shame or retaliate, it can escalate into real-world harassment.

  • DDoS/DoSing: The criminal act in which a perpetrator uses a device or a network of devices to overwhelm networks and devices (Home WiFi, Organisation Networks) and cause them to shut down. This act is illegal and comes under the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

  • Catfishing: The act in which people pretend to be someone they aren't online. Often associated with online dating sites such as Tinder, the term catfishing is used to describe someone who claims they are/or look like someone they aren't. However, the term is used to describe strangers pretending to be someone else online.

  • Swatting: A terrifying trend, originating from America, where someone makes a false call to emergency services in an attempt to send the police to someone's home, school, or workplace. The calls consist of disturbing ideology, such as claiming the victim has hostages or a bomb.

  • The Dark Web: A hidden part of the internet not accessible through ordinary browsers such as Google or Microsoft Edge. It's often used to sell illegal items, stolen data, and explicit material. Some students may be exposed to it through curiosity or peer pressure, usually via forums such as Reddit or YouTube videos glamorising it.




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Platforms That Should Be Common Knowledge


  • TikTok: While known for its viral trends, TikTok is also home to risky challenges, sexualised content, and harmful algorithms that can spiral students into conspiracy theories, self-harm content, or encouraging drug abuse - All within minutes of scrolling.

  • Discord (URGENT): A hub for chat groups and "coms" (short for communities). It's increasingly being used by online predators, especially because the accounts are anonymous and difficult to trace. Read more about Discord in our blog

  • Snapchat: Still one of the most popular platforms used amongst students due to its disappearing messages and anonymity features. Snapchat is one of the first platforms predators use to identify victims and exploit children.

  • Uhmegle (Omegle): Previously known as Omegle, Uhmegle is a platform where users can FaceTime strangers from all over the world without needing a login, account, or any form of verification. It's like playing a game of roulette, you never know who you'll be talking to next.




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Behaviours In School


Certain behaviours can be spotted in school as long as you know what to listen out for. Some students don't typically tend to hide what they're talking about because they assume teachers know nothing about the online world.


Some behaviours, however, can consist of anxiety around mobile devices, reluctance to participate in class, withdrawing socially, and a complete change in behaviour compared to ordinary behaviours.


We've all witnessed how fast drama can explode in teenage group chats, commonly overflowing into school life. Group chats can involve students across multiple year groups, sometimes used to "expose" others, confront, or share inappropriate memes.


Slang is becoming a new variant of the English Language. With terms like "plug" or "loud" referring to drug dealers and drugs, teachers need to know these terms to be able to safeguard efficiently.




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What Can You Do?


By creating an open culture in your classroom, let students feel they can talk to you about anything, even if it happened online. They need to trust that you'll listen without judgment.


Understanding their language and slang terms will make you more confident in identifying risks. Just recognising a student is using a certain app or talking about an illegal activity in slang can open the door to deeper conversations.


Raise the concern early. Don't wait until you're sure something is wrong; share your concerns with your safeguarding lead and document early warning signs, it could make all the difference.


Many parents feel lost when it comes to tech. So by encouraging an open dialogue, providing resources, and pointing them towards safety features/controls can help them understand and protect their children online.




Being a teacher in 2025 means understanding the digital lives of your students just as much as their academic ones. You don’t need to be a tech expert; just someone who cares enough to keep learning. If you can spot the signs, know the apps, and create a space where students feel safe to talk, you’re already doing more than most.


👉 Book a staff training workshop tailored to your school here.






 
 
 

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