Keep your child safe online
It is important to have regular conversations about staying safe online and to encourage children to speak to you if they come across something worrying online.
Talk to your child about the importance of creating a safe online environment, including keeping any log-in details and passwords safe.
These resources will support you to talk to your child about a range of online safety issues, set up home filtering in a child-friendly way and set up age-appropriate parental controls on digital devices:
- Thinkuknowby the National Crime Agency – Child Exploitation and Online Protection command (NCA-CEOP) – resources for parents and carers and children of all ages to help keep children safe online
- Childnethas developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online
- Parent Infois a collaboration between Parent Zone and NCA-CEOP – support and guidance for parents and carers related to the digital world from leading experts and organisations
- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) –guidance for parents and carers to help keep children safe online
- UK Safer Internet Centre– tips and advice for parents and carers to keep children safe online – you can also report any harmful content found online through the UK Safer Internet Centre
- Inclusive Digital Safety Huband Online Safety Hub, created by South West Grid for Learning in partnership with Internet Matters – support and tailored advice for young people with additional learning needs and their parents or carers
- Parents’ Guide to Age Ratingsexplains how the British Board of Film Classification rates content, and gives parents advice on choosing online content well
- The Children’s Commissioner has publishedadvice for parents on talking to your child about online sexual harassment specifically, based on input from children themselves
Our children are continuously reminded about how to stay safe on the internet and how to seek help and advice if they require it. The following links will help both parents and children with e-safety advice and guidance.
The online world is rapidly developing and many of our children now have access to devices which enable them to connect to the internet, take images or video and communicate with others. While it is important not to obstruct them from developing skills from using these devices, it is essential that parents support their children in navigating the online world