Mobile Phone Emergency Alerts: A Tool for Child Safeguarding?

The photo is a genuine alert one of our team received whilst on a well-earned break in Austin, Texas this weekend. The alert came through at 8am and simultaneously everyone’s phones in the house went off like a siren. Not least an unfavourable early morning alarm call after an evening of BBQ and beers but it did what it was designed to do, everyone was instantly drawn to it and reading the notification and surprised as UK residents we were also included in the alert.

How Austin, Texas alerts the community to abductions

In recent years, mobile phone emergency notification systems have become a valuable tool for alerting the public to urgent threats. These systems, often used for natural disasters or severe weather events, have the potential to be a powerful tool for safeguarding children as well.

Like the example in Austin, with a child abduction these alerts can provide specific details about the suspect, the child's description, and the location of the abduction. This timely information allows community members to be vigilant and assist in the search for the missing child. This is not a new concept, boroughs and councils in the UK already send letters, locally warning of imposter sports coaches and other similar risks in their area to help with vigilance.

The technology already exists in the UK and was tested widely in April, 2023 with smaller tests since then. Therefore should the UK extend mobile phone emergency alerts to safeguarding children?

The Benefits of Mobile Phone Emergency Alerts for Child Safeguarding:

• Rapid Dissemination: Alerts can be sent out immediately, reaching a large number of people in a short period.
• Targeted Information: Alerts can be customised to specific geographic areas, ensuring that only relevant information is shared.
• Increased Awareness: By raising awareness of potential threats, alerts can empower community members to take proactive steps to protect children.

Considerations and Concerns:

While mobile phone emergency alerts offer significant benefits, it's essential to consider potential drawbacks and ethical implications.

• Overuse: Overusing alerts can lead to desensitisation and public fatigue. It's crucial to use this tool cautiously and only for truly urgent situations.
• Privacy Concerns: Sending out personal information about suspects or victims raises privacy concerns. It's essential to balance the need for public safety with individual privacy rights.
• False Alarms: False alarms can create unnecessary panic and erode public trust. It's important to have robust verification processes in place to ensure the accuracy of alerts.

Determining Appropriate Use Cases:

To effectively use mobile phone emergency alerts for child safeguarding, it's essential to establish clear guidelines and criteria. Here are some potential use cases:

• Missing Children: Alerts can be sent out immediately when a child is reported missing, providing vital information to the public.
• Suspected Abduction: If there is credible evidence of an attempted or completed abduction, an alert can be issued to alert the community.
• Dangerous Persons: Alerts can be sent out to warn the public about individuals who pose a threat to children, such as the letters, as mentioned, sent by some councils warning of fake sports coaches etc.
• School Lockdowns: In the event of a school lockdown due to a threat such as the acid attack we’ve seen this week, alerts can be sent to parents and the community.

Balancing Safety and Privacy:

When using mobile phone emergency alerts for child safeguarding, it's essential to strike a balance between public safety and individual privacy. Here are some considerations:

• Limit the Scope of Information: Only share information that is essential for public safety, such as the suspect's description, location, and any specific details about the threat.
• Obtain Consent: If possible, obtain consent from individuals whose personal information will be shared in the alert.
• Review and Update Guidelines: Regularly review and update guidelines for using mobile phone emergency alerts to ensure they remain effective and appropriate.

Using technology in safeguarding is slowly growing momentum, helping create vigilance but also ensuring proper process and procedure. Mobile phone emergency alerts have the potential to be a powerful tool for safeguarding children. By using them cautiously and with careful consideration of privacy concerns, we think we can leverage this technology to protect our communities and keep children safe.

What do you think? Should we be using the emergency service alerts in this way?