Online Safety

The digital world offers a variety of benefits to children and young people, but not all children understand the harmful risks that may affect them online.

As a parent or carer you play a key role in helping your child to stay safe online. You don’t need to be an expert on the internet to help keep your child stay safe online.

Below you will find advice and resources from different recognised online safety companies/children's charities to support you as you support your child to use the internet safely, responsibility and positively.

Key messages for parents to support healthy use of technology are:

Have open honest conversations about technology use and regular conversations about online safety
Have conversations and discuss about age limits for online games/apps and why they should be honoured
Keep devices in shared areas of the house (not the bedroom)
Report any incidents to helplines and the school
Spend time away from technology
When using technology, set time limits and recognise the importance of time away from a screen
Socialise outside online games

General advice

ESS_Esafety_Factsheet.pdf

safe-and-healthy-habits-online.pdf

Vodaphone - Digital Parenting Magazine 10th Edition

Digital-Parenting-Magazine-10th-Edition.pdf

Websites and organisation links

The following websites provide advice on how to use the internet and new technologies safely and responsibly as well as a range of practical resources, news and events.

UK Safer Internet Centre This site contains advice on how to use the internet and new technologies safely and responsibly as well as a range of practical resources, news and events focussing on the safe and responsible use of the internet and new technologies.

Childnet International A non-profit making organisation working with others to help make the Internet a great and safe place for children. You can access Jenny's Story, Becky's Story and Let's Fight It Together (the cyberbullying DVD) in addition to other online resources from this site.

Internet Matters An internet portal which aims to direct parents and carers to credible and helpful information on how to keep children safe online.

NSPCC Keeping children Safe Online An online safety hub which offers advice for parents, from sending inappropriate images to online games to parental controls.

Thinkuknow 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

Age ratings

Age ratings can be used by adults to make informed choices as to whether or not a game is suitable for a child.

The PEGI (Pan European Game Information) system rates games and, instead of indicating the level of ability required to physically play a game, it indicates the suitability of content for that age group. 3, 7, 12, 16 and 18 are the labels that can be awarded to games and content descriptors such as violence, bad language and fear are used to further clarify why the label was assigned.

Parents guide to age ratings Explains how the British Board of Film Classification rates content, and gives parents advice on choosing online content well.

App and platform guides

Although child-friendly apps can make using the internet a more accessible and enjoyable experience, the thousands of apps available for different types of people mean it’s important to make sure children use appropriate ones.

Please use the guides below to find out more information about the risks and also possible advantages for some of the most common apps and platforms available.