The same research tells us that children and youth in care find the freedom and opportunities that connectivity provides particularly beneficial. Foster caregivers, in turn, told us that they often knew very little about the online lives of the children in their care and weren’t always sure how to start a conversation about it. Each new location carries a requirement to renegotiate digital access.

The Digital Passport addresses these needs. It is a communication tool for foster caregivers and their children, created to facilitate frequent and supportive conversations, agree on proactive steps that both of you can take to keep the child safer online, and record any protective or concerning incidents, as well as celebrate what they enjoy online.

What does the Digital Passport offer?: Right to roam: with a digital passport

• Help enable the child’s digital life in a positive and caring way
• A tool for caregivers to support discussions and understanding about life online.
• Supports agreements on internet access and device use between caregiver and child.
• Consistency for a child or youth if moving to another location or family environment
• A record to improve protection
• A tool to help make the most of what technology has to offer and open opportunities for children and youth, especially those in or out of care.

How does it work?: Right to roam: with a digital passport

The digital passport  can be used as a way to discuss views, feelings and experiences around the digital life of the child and to record the agreements reached, as well as to check if they still work for the child. Talking about Passport directions can also open the way for checking if agreements are still working and making timely adjustments, as well as giving children in care a way to start a conversation about how they can best be supported.

The Digital Passport has two main sections. One gathers information for the foster caregiver and other professionals about the child’s digital life. The other is for the child to express his wishes, feelings, and interests. The Digital Passport for Children section can be owned and held by the child and gives him the opportunity to say what he wants and needs.

Why do we need it?

We know that the most effective way to keep children safe online is for their caregivers to be interested in and supportive of their online life, and to keep the conversations meaningful and regular.

We also know that many foster caregivers are averse to technology and may stop removing devices and restricting digital access when for many youth in care it is the only way for them to connect with friends and, where appropriate, family.

The Digital Passport serves as a resource to assist foster caregivers in managing the crucial conversations that will help them understand, support, and safeguard the online lives of their children.

Who created it?

The Digital Passport was created by the UKCIS Vulnerable Users Task Force – a collaboration of specialists who volunteer their time to help reduce the likelihood of children with vulnerabilities being harmed online.

The Digital Passport was the brainchild of Adrienne Katz (Youthworks) and created by her with expert input from Adam Gordon (LGfL), Dr. Simon P Hammond UAE and Steve Bailey (Barnado), in addition to input from all other members UKCIS Vulnerable Users Working Group.

It is a privilege to work with such a talented team of professionals, and we hope these documents will help children with caregiving experience safely enjoy the benefits of connectivity.