The ASAP Emergency Practices: helping schools respond with care and clarity
Schools today face challenges that go far beyond the classroom walls. A message sent in a group chat, a post shared without consent, a rumour that spreads too fast — what starts online can have a real impact on students’ wellbeing, relationships, and sense of safety.
The ASAP Emergency Practices, developed within the Erasmus+ project ASAP – A Systemic Approach to Social Media Education for Preadolescents, offer schools a structured and compassionate way to respond to these complex situations — both online and offline.
💡 A practical guide for when things get difficult
The Emergency Practices are not just another policy document.
They are a hands-on resource designed to help schools prevent, recognise, and respond to bullying, cyberbullying, and digital conflicts with empathy and coordination.
They include clear procedures, adaptable to different contexts and school systems, and a Quick Operational Guide that helps teachers and school leaders take the right actions at the right time.
From identifying the type and severity of an incident to coordinating with families or external services, the protocol provides a step-by-step path for effective and responsible intervention.
But the document also goes beyond crisis management. It reminds schools that every emergency is also an educational moment — a chance to talk, to rebuild trust, and to strengthen the community.
🧩 Who is it for?
The ASAP Emergency Practices are designed for the whole school community.
Teachers can use them to spot early signs of distress or exclusion;
school leaders can rely on them to ensure that every case is managed consistently;
counsellors and psychologists can use the framework to coordinate their support with classroom actions;
and families can find in it a reference point for collaboration and care.
By creating a common language and shared process, the protocol helps schools act together — ensuring that no child, teacher, or family faces these situations alone.
🌱 From reaction to reflection
The heart of the Emergency Practices lies in their educational approach.
Instead of seeing a crisis as something to hide or punish, the ASAP model views it as a moment to learn — about empathy, responsibility, and how our online and offline behaviours affect others.
It encourages adults and young people alike to reflect on what happened, why it happened, and how to move forward — together.
In this way, prevention and response become part of the same goal: building safer, more aware, and more connected school communities.
A shared European resource
The ASAP Emergency Practices are freely available for download and can be adapted to any school or national context.
They form part of the broader ASAP Educational Programme, which also includes the ASAP Approach, the Educational Handbook, and six Learning Units on emotions, communication, authenticity, and digital awareness.
Together, these resources support educators in guiding students through the complexities of growing up “onlife” — in a world where digital and real experiences are deeply intertwine.
READ THE EMERGENCY PRACTICE HERE: https://www.socialmediakids.eu/outputs/
