PLEASE CLEARLY SHOW PARENTS THAT VOLUNTEERS PHONES ARE NOT MONITORED OR REGISTERED TO YOUR ORGANISATION. THE IMAGES AND VIDEOS OF CHILDREN ARE ON THE VOLUNTEERS PERSONAL PHONES.

When my child wished to join the local Scouts organisation, I, as a parent, looked into their safeguarding policies. I wanted to ensure they provide a secure environment for my child. I was surprised and alarmed to find vague and insufficient information on how electronic devices are governed within the organisation. 

Here is the concern: The current policy mentions that a volunteer is responsible for a device, without any further details. Further investigation led me, and possibly other worried parents, to understand that no devices are monitored or even registered within the organisation.

This lack of clarity in their policy is rather troubling. With increasing digitalisation and access to unmonitored devices, children are at potential risk of exposure to inappropriate online content, or worse, cyberbullying and other online threats. It is high time that the Scouts updated and clarified their safeguarding policies, particularly in relation to electronic devices, to ensure the highest protection for our children.

The absence of clear policy not only puts children at risk but also underlines the absence of a systemic approach to child safety in a world where technology is an inherent part of our lives. Every parent that I had spoken with had expressed to me that this was also not mentioned when volunteers were asking them for their permission to take pictures and videos of their children. 

Let's urge Scouts to provide clear, detailed, and comprehensive safeguarding guidelines including the use of electronic devices in their interactions with the children. By doing this, we will ensure that our children enjoy the wonderful experiences and skills that Scouts offer, all while staying safe online. Sign this petition to demand better safeguarding policies from the Scouts organisation.