Building digital resilience: a relationship-based approach to online safety in out-of-home care
Mar 2025
Written by Kelly Royds
The internet can be a space for connection, learning, and self-expression—but it is not always safe. For young people in out-of-home care (OOHC), the online world presents both opportunities and significant risks. Many face increased vulnerabilities due to trauma, disrupted relationships, and limited digital literacy, making them more susceptible to cyberbullying, exploitation, and harmful content.
Despite these challenges, young people in care want and deserve to engage online safely, just like their peers. The question is: how can carers and professionals support them without shutting them out or imposing ineffective restrictions?
Recognising these risks and complexities, we developed the Online Safety Practice Guide with funding from eSafety. This guide provides practical, relationship-based strategies for carers and professionals. More than just a set of rules, it is designed to build confidence, foster trust, and equip carers with the tools to navigate digital safety with young people—centred on their voices and experiences.
Why we developed this guide
Funded by eSafety, this guide was created in response to growing concerns about online safety for young people in OOHC. Many have already been exposed to online harms or technology-facilitated abuse, and carers often feel unprepared to manage digital risks effectively. Through consultations, we consistently heard that:
- Carers and staff want clearer guidance on navigating online safety with young people.
- Restrictive practices alone do not support long-term learning or safety.
- Strong, trusting relationships are the foundation of effective online safety strategies.
- Young people want adults to listen, understand their digital lives, and guide them without judgement.
We also recognise that the risks are significant. Young people in OOHC often experience higher exposure to online exploitation, coercion, and cyber-related harm, exacerbated by social isolation, disrupted relationships, and gaps in digital literacy. This guide responds to those concerns while ensuring that young people’s rights and autonomy are respected.
The guide aligns with the Safe and Supported: National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2021-2031, ensuring it supports best practice in child protection and digital well-being.
Centred on carers’ voices
This guide was developed in collaboration with carers and practitioners across Australia, ensuring their insights shaped the strategies and recommendations. One of the most striking themes from consultations was that many carers feel uncertain about how to discuss online safety in ways that empower young people rather than simply restricting their access.
One foster carer shared: “I want to help the young people in my care be safe online, but I don’t always know the right approach. I don’t want to push them away by coming across as controlling, but I also need to protect them.”
This perspective reinforces the need for a relationship-based approach—one that prioritises open conversations, mutual trust, and harm minimisation strategies over punitive restrictions.
Highlighting a key strategy: the relationship-based approach
A core message of the Online Safety Practice Guide is that strong relationships between young people and their carers are the most effective tool for online safety. When young people trust the adults in their lives, they are more likely to seek guidance, disclose risks, and develop the critical thinking skills needed to navigate the digital world safely.
How carers can use a relationship-based approach
- Open conversations over restrictions
Rather than banning certain apps or platforms outright, carers can engage young people in discussions about their digital lives—what they enjoy online, who they talk to, and what challenges they face. This approach fosters mutual trust and keeps the lines of communication open. - Asking questions instead of making assumptions
Instead of assuming a young person is engaging in risky behaviour online, carers can ask questions like:“What do you like most about being online?”
“Have you ever come across something online that made you uncomfortable?”
“What do you think makes an online friend different from a real-life friend?” - Guiding, not controlling
When young people feel overly monitored or restricted, they may hide their online activity. Instead, carers can position themselves as guides who help young people assess risks and make informed decisions. For example, teaching them how to use privacy settings and block unwanted contacts can empower them to take control of their online safety. - Providing a safe space for disclosure
Many young people in OOHC have experienced rejection or blame when disclosing difficult experiences. Carers can create a non-judgmental environment where young people feel safe to talk about online concerns, whether it’s cyberbullying, unwanted messages, or exposure to harmful content.
Why this matters
A harm minimisation approach acknowledges that young people will engage online, and rather than attempting to control every aspect of their digital lives, carers can help them develop the skills to stay safe. By focusing on education, empowerment, and relationship-building, carers and professionals can provide the support young people need to navigate digital spaces with confidence and resilience.
The Online Safety Practice Guide is more than just a resource—it’s a shift in approach, recognising that trusted relationships are the key to digital safety. By listening, guiding, and supporting young people, we can help them not only stay safe but also thrive in the online world.
For more about navigating safety and relationships with children in the digital world, don’t miss Kelly’s upcoming virtual workshop Safe and Connected: Supporting online safety for children and young people in out-of-home care on the 7th of May.
