Staying Safe Online, with Megan Haldane
The Problem: Overwhelm, Avoidance, and Safety
One of the most surprising things that emerged from our work with neurodivergent young people was a strong aversion to social media. Not just anxiety about certain apps or platforms, many young people preferred to avoid the online world entirely, rather than navigate it with safety strategies.
And Megan gets it.
“A lot of the tools we’ve created are built for neurotypical users,” she says. “They’re long-winded, jargon-heavy, and overwhelming.”
Her advice? Start small, and start smart.
Creating Confidence: Safe Lurking and Digital Literacy
Megan introduced a concept she calls 'safe lurking'. It means hanging back and observing an online community before participating. No pressure to post, no expectation to comment, just watching, listening, and learning.
“You don’t need to have a full digital presence on day one. You can decide where and how you want to engage.”
Another key strategy: practical, hands-on learning. Instead of presenting privacy settings or AI tools through static PowerPoints or complex guides, we should build 'sandbox' environments - spaces where young people can test settings, explore features, and safely make mistakes.
This kind of immersive, repetition-based learning is especially helpful for neurodivergent users, Megan notes. “Break it, fix it, learn it. That’s how I learn.”
Language Matters: Making Digital Safety Accessible
One recurring theme throughout the episode was how language and format shape access to online safety. Traditional approaches, assemblies, text-heavy leaflets, or 'click here to learn more' PDFs, can unintentionally exclude neurodivergent learners.
We need:
Infographics and visual aids
Role-play scenarios with consequences
Tools that prioritise plain language
Interactive, personalised learning experiences
Better yet, we need to design those tools with neurodivergent people, not just for them.
Peer Mentorship: Learning from Each Other
Megan’s big idea? Peer mentorship.
She’s seen first-hand how effective it can be when neurodivergent young people help each other navigate online spaces.
“Young people don’t always want to learn from adults, they think we’re dinosaurs! But they’ll listen to each other.”
Whether it’s cyber buddies, anti-bullying ambassadors, or digital citizenship schemes, empowering young people to lead change could be the most powerful safety tool we have.
Gaming, Bullying & Reporting
For many neurodivergent youth, gaming is a main social outlet. But it's also a space that’s become a hotbed for scams, bullying, and exploitation.
Megan highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in these spaces:
Platforms often allow anonymous behaviour, making it harder to track offenders.
Threats evolve quickly, especially with the introduction of AI.
Many incidents go unreported, leaving law enforcement and support teams unaware of emerging risks.
“Reporting matters, even if you think it’s small,” Megan says. “It helps us protect hundreds, even thousands, of other people.”
So where should you report?
If someone is in danger: Call 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency)
For scams/fraud: Report to Action Fraud
For platform-based issues: Use the in-app reporting tool
Too overwhelmed? Ask a trusted adult to report on your behalf
And yes, online forms, text-based submissions, and accessible reporting are improving, so you don’t always have to make a phone call.
AI: A Blessing and a Risk
Artificial intelligence is becoming part of our everyday online experience, from recommended videos to predictive text, voice assistants to image filters. So, what does that mean for disabled and neurodivergent users?
The Risks:
Sophisticated scams and impersonations using AI-generated images, video, and audio
Misinformation spread through AI-powered content farms
Over-reliance on tools like ChatGPT, which may replace rather than support cognitive effort
The Benefits:
Enhanced accessibility (speech-to-text, filtered visuals, easier interfaces)
Content moderation to flag harmful messages
Phishing and scam detection through AI-powered alerts
Learning tools that summarise or simplify complex documents
“You can use AI to translate things into easy-read formats,” Megan says. “Just don’t tell it anything you wouldn’t want shared publicly.”
Building Safer Digital Futures
Safety isn’t just about avoiding risk. It’s about resilience - the ability to try, fall, and try again.
Young people should be supported to:
Set digital boundaries (what content and platforms are okay)
Build self-awareness (when to step back)
Develop coping strategies (who to turn to when something goes wrong)
Ask for help, and know that’s not a weakness
And let’s not forget that offline safety and validation are just as important. Some youth may never fully engage online, and that’s okay too.
Careers in Cyber: Megan’s Journey
To wrap up the episode, Megan shared her own path into cyber protection, and it’s not what you’d expect.
She started out in veterinary nursing, working hands-on with animals. But during the pandemic, she re-evaluated what she wanted and transitioned into law enforcement, eventually finding her perfect fit in the Cyber Protect team.
Now she works every day to empower others and make the internet a safer place.
“You don’t need tech qualifications to start. Just curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to learn.”
Her journey is proof that career paths aren’t straight, and that there’s space for everyone in cyber and digital safety, especially neurodivergent people.
Want to learn more?
Listen to Scam Me’ here on YouTube: Learning Inclusive Change
Visit Avon & Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner here: Avon & Somerset Police & Crime Commissioner here
Follow Inclusive Change on LinkedIn: Inclusive Change Ltd - and Facebook: Inclusive Change
And remember, cybersecurity starts with you!
