Categorise risk into the 4 C’s

Research has shown that young people living with a disability are especially susceptible to 4 types of harmful online scenarios.

• Risky Contact – High risk online relationships with people. These can be ones where there is sharing of explicit images, predatory or grooming behaviour, or those seeking personal private information.
• Risky Content – Visiting high risk apps, games or websites online where they can be exposed to explicit content, misinformation or extreme views.
• Risky Conduct – Engaging in illegal or concerning behaviour such as illegally downloading content, visiting chat rooms, or looking at adult content online. Excessive or prolonged screen time.
• Cyber Scams – Being tricked into performing an action or task, unintentionally sharing private information, buying something or being hacked.

Research also shows young people may be impacted in specific ways, based on their particular vulnerability or disability:

• Contact Risks are predicted for vulnerable groups with special educational needs (SEN).
• Conduct Risks are predicted for vulnerable groups that have a physical disability or a communication difficulty.
• Cyber Scams are predicted for vulnerable groups with communication difficulties and family or social vulnerabilities.

All vulnerable groups are also predicted to have the likelihood of experiencing a combination of all of the above risks.

While the above may seem concerning, parents can increase protection by learning how to identify risks, and intervene before a risky situation becomes a real problem. In the end, knowledge is power.
By understanding how and why particular groups may be at risk, we are also better able to identify and prevent online harms toward young people.

Awareness of the 4 x C’s also gives parents a framework to communicate potential online harms with children, and to start meaningful conversations by creating a common language within the home.