Questions to Ask Yourself

As you turn your attention to ensuring both felt and experienced safety in your online programs, here are five questions to get you started:

• Where can the youth you are reaching go if they are feeling or experiencing a lack of safety in your programs?
  -> Hint: This information, including both resources within your program as well as local and regional support systems, can and should be posted and referenced regularly in all delivery modes.
• Who in your target audience may be the most likely to be targeted negatively for their engagement in your program?
  -> Hint: It might be the minority groups that even you don’t think about often, so dig deep into who your participants are when you’re answering this question. They will need and benefit from your support.
• What digital options are most important to your target audience’s safety?
  -> Hint: Different audiences will need different approaches to safety. Asynchronous approaches may be safest for some, like those who don’t have access to a private physical space to access synchronous spaces. Synchronous approaches may be safest for some, like those who don’t have access to a private digital device or social media account.
• When a youth’s safety is breached in your program, how do you offer support?
  -> Hint: Support may be necessary in the form of legal, emotional, physical, and many other ways. Either providing support or providing access to other groups providing support is your responsibility.
• How can you ensure that the information you are offering access to will provide more positive support than exposure to harm?
  -> Hint: If you’re not sure, you might do well to consult with other organizations or partners who work more closely with a particular marginalized group within your target audience