Online safety is crucial for parents to ensure their children have a positive and secure digital experience. Start by establishing open communication about internet use, including discussions on appropriate websites, apps, and social media platforms. Teach children about the importance of protecting personal information, recognizing online scams, and avoiding interactions with strangers. Encourage the use of privacy settings and strong passwords. Monitoring screen time and setting clear rules for online activities can help maintain balance and safety. Additionally, staying informed about the latest digital trends empowers parents to guide their children in navigating the online world responsibly.
Below are some useful links for more information;
internetmatters.org
online issues, advice by age, settings controls, guides and resources – including social media and gaming, digital toolkit, email newsletters, schools resources.
Sections for teachers, parents and carers, young people, sextortion, how to make a report, video chat and webcams, keeping under 5s safe, livestreaming, screen time and healthy balance, sexting, online sexual harassment, privacy and data, online bullying, expiring content, parental controls, online grooming, social media, digital wellbeing, premium rate content and in-app purchases, online pornography, reliability online, apps, downloading, What do I need to know?
NSPCC Phone safety toolkit, Digital parenting, parental controls and safety settings for games, social media and messaging apps, smartphones, and tablets