In today’s digital world, children are more connected than ever before. As access to smartphones, gaming platforms, and social media continues to grow, so do the risks children may face online. Many of these risks are hidden, fast-moving, and difficult for families to recognize.

Connected Safely is a practical toolkit designed to support organizations working with caregivers and young people to strengthen online safety awareness and prevention efforts. Through interactive, community-based approaches, the toolkit helps families build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to recognize risks, make safer decisions, and know where to seek support.

Rather than relying on one-way awareness messaging, Connected Safely uses a Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) approach. The toolkit brings families together to explore real-life situations, reflect on behaviours, and build safer digital habits through guided discussions and practical activities.

The approach is designed to encourage participation and dialogue — not lectures. It helps families move beyond awareness toward meaningful action and stronger communication.

Grounded in Community Experience

Connected Safely was developed based on insights from families in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, reflecting challenges children and caregivers face in their daily lives, including:

• Shared device use
• Limited digital literacy and online safety knowledge
• Challenges in parent-child communication around online experiences

This community-informed approach ensures the toolkit remains practical, relevant, and adaptable.

What the Toolkit Includes

Connected Safely equips NGOs and facilitators with practical resources to deliver structured and effective awareness sessions, including:

• Facilitator handbook with key knowledge and guidance for NGO workers
• Ready-to-deliver session plans for caregivers and young people
• Interactive activities based on real-life scenarios, discussions, and practical exercises

All materials are designed to be flexible and adaptable to different communities and contexts.

What Connected Safely Supports

Through this toolkit, facilitators are equipped to deliver safe, structured, and effective sessions that:

Strengthen caregivers’ confidence to protect and respond

Support young people to recognize risks and think before acting online

Encourage open conversations within families about online safety and risks

Because protecting children in a digital world starts with understanding — and continues through everyday decisions, communication, and practical steps families can take.

Connected Safely helps communities take that step — together.

This toolkit has been produced with financial support from Safe Online. However, the opinions and recommendations expressed herein are those of SEED and do not necessarily reflect those of Safe Online.