Children & Teen-Specific Safety Framework
Children and teenagers face dangers very different from adults. Their threats come from trust, peer pressure, online spaces, emotional manipulation, adults in positions of authority, other children, and situations where embarrassment or fear stops them from speaking out. This module teaches young people how to spot danger early, trust instincts, identify manipulation, set boundaries, and take safe action without fear, shame, or hesitation.
1. Understanding Safety for Children & Teens
Children WANT to trust people. Teens WANT to fit in. Predators and harmful peers use this to exploit them.
Common child/teen vulnerabilities:
- Fear of getting in trouble
- Fear of embarrassing themselves
- Desire to please adults
- Desire for popularity or acceptance
- Mistaking friendliness for safety
- Hiding things to avoid punishment
- Being unsure if something is “really wrong”
2. The Aware360 Child/Teen Danger Recognition Model
Gut feeling, uncertainty, confusion.
Someone acts differently than expected.
Touch, secrets, isolation attempts.
Threats, grabbing, manipulation.
3. Grooming Tactics Used on Children & Teens
Predators don’t begin with threats. They begin with:
- Kindness
- Gifts
- Attention
- Secrets
- Games
- Special treatment
- Private chats
- Isolation
Common grooming statements:
- “Don’t tell anyone — they won’t understand.”
- “You’re more mature than other kids.”
- “This is our little secret.”
- “I trust you. You can trust me.”
- “Your parents won’t get it.”
- “I’m your only real friend.”
4. Peer-to-Peer Risk: When the Threat Is Another Child
Most harm to children comes from other children — not adults.
Teen-specific risks:
- Pressure to send photos
- Social humiliation threats
- “If you don’t, I’ll tell everyone…”
- Group pressure (Snapchat/WhatsApp)
- Bullying disguised as “banter”
- Isolation from friends
- Emotional manipulation (“You don’t care about me”)
5. The Aware360 “Safe Adult Map”
Children must know EXACTLY who they can turn to without fear of being shouted at or punished.
Parents / guardians / carers.
Teachers, coaches, safeguarding leads.
Trusted community adults (police, shop staff, neighbours).
6. School Route & Public Space Safety
Safe behaviours include:
- Walk with friends when possible
- No headphones on busy or quiet routes
- Avoid shortcuts through alleys or car parks
- Stay in well-lit areas
- Stay near crowds
- Never accept lifts from anyone unexpected
7. Boundary Setting for Children & Teens
The Aware360 Boundary Sentence:
Teen version:
Action Steps:
- Step back
- Break eye contact
- Move to a safe adult
- Report without fear
8. When Something Bad Already Happened
Children blame themselves. Teens hide things out of fear.
- They worry adults will be angry
- They feel embarrassed
- They think they caused the situation
You cannot open a child’s safety unless they feel emotionally safe.
🧠 Module 17 Knowledge Test
1. Children often fail to report danger because:
2. A major grooming red flag is:
3. Teens are most influenced by:
4. How many safe adults should a child know?
5. A safe boundary phrase for kids is:
