Digital Risks, Student Vulnerability, and Online Influence: What Every Lecturer Should Know in 2026

Transform your understanding of digital risks and student vulnerability

Join expert-led workshops designed for busy lecturers and student-facing professionals to gain actionable insights, practical tools, and risk-recognition skills.

Why Choose Our Training?

• Realistic, relevant and timely

Focused on the safeguarding challenges educators and student-facing professionals are facing in 2026, informed by real-world cases and emerging digital risks.

• Clear introduction to digital manipulation and online influence

An accessible overview of how AI-generated content, misinformation, disinformation, and online influence affect young people and university students.

• Delivered by experienced subject matter experts

Led by trainers with extensive experience across safeguarding, security, and risk-focused environments.

• Engaging and professionally delivered

Designed to hold attention, encourage reflection, and support meaningful learning within a short, focused session.

• Supports Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

Contributes to lecturers’ and student-facing professionals’ ongoing learning and safeguarding awareness (non-accredited).

• Certificate of Professional Learning provided

Participants receive a certificate confirming attendance and professional learning engagement.

Who Is This Training For?

• University lecturers and tutors

• Student-facing professionals (e.g., pastoral staff, student support, academic advisors)

• University staff responsible for student wellbeing and safety

(Secondary school and FE-specific training is offered separately on 28th January 2026)

What Participants Say

“It was the best training I have had on the subject.”

— UK Policing Professional

“I just wanted to reach out to say a big thank you for spending time with our team yesterday. Your presentations were awesome! In particular, the session covering Disinformation and Misinformation was fascinating, truly fascinating! The [...] session was also excellent and there was a lot of good learning packed in there. I have to add that I loved the energy that you brought to the room and the balance and pitch of your inputs was just perfect. I do quite a lot of presentations to partners and stakeholders [...], so I’m always looking at presentation styles and you certainly know how to keep your audience engaged. Bravo!!”

— UK Policing Professional

“I thought this was an excellent input by Magda yesterday. Really informative and she is such a breath of fresh air, so engaging and just a fantastic person!”

— UK Policing Professional

“I left feeling really positive, despite the topic…”

— UK Policing Professional

“I really enjoyed the [Deterrence Center] training especially about disinformation and misinformation. Really very interesting and relevant. Magda has wonderful energy and enthusiasm for the topic.”

— UK Policing Professional

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop, attendees will be able to:

• Identify emerging digital manipulation risks affecting university students in 2026.

• Recognise vulnerability markers linked to online influence, misinformation, disinformation, and AI-generated content.

• Understand how digital manipulation affects student behaviour, wellbeing, and academic integrity.

• Apply practical strategies to build digital resilience among students.

• Use ready-made tools and checklists to support early intervention and appropriate support pathways.

Teachers’ / Lecturers’ Welcome Pack

All participants will receive a welcome pack including helpful resources, practical tools, and exclusive discounts available after the session.

Workshop Agenda (90 minutes)

16:00 – Welcome & Introductions

• Introduction and thanks to our sponsors and partners

• Why digital risks are now central to university student safety and wellbeing

• What changed in 2025–2026

• The scope of threats: AI, mis and disinformation, identity-based manipulation, digital harassment

16:10 – Understanding Digital Influence (20 minutes)

• How AI-enhanced manipulation targets young adults

• Misinformation and disinformation campaigns that affect university spaces

• How online influence shapes beliefs, worldviews, and academic behaviour

• Real anonymised case studies from UK universities

16:30 – Identifying Vulnerable Students (20 minutes)

• Psychological vulnerability markers

• Isolation, identity search, and online echo chambers

• Behavioural patterns lecturers can spot early

• Links with wellbeing, mental health, stress, burnout, and belonging

• When and how to escalate concerns

16:50 – Mitigating Digital Risks (20 minutes)

• Practical strategies for lecturers and student-facing staff

• Classroom-ready interventions

• Early intervention scripts (how to talk to a student)

• Building digital resilience in students

• What NOT to do: common pitfalls that worsen student disengagement or defensiveness

• Tools and checklists

17:10 – Q&A + Discussion (15 minutes)

• Open floor for questions

• Sharing experiences from different universities

• Tailored guidance based on participant challenges

17:25 – Close & Free Resource Pack (5 minutes)

• Immediate downloadable materials

• Follow-up workshop announcement (February/March)

• Optional deeper-dive modules (on request)

Supported by:  

(Supporter of strengthening educators’ capabilities for digital resilience in complex environments)