Online Safety Information for Parents and Carers
Online Safety Information for Parents and Carers
Children are growing up in a digital world where technology plays an important part in learning, communication, entertainment and socialising. The internet, online games, social media and digital devices provide many exciting opportunities, but they also bring risks.
At school, we teach children how to use technology safely, responsibly and respectfully. We encourage children to talk to a trusted adult if something they see, hear or experience online makes them feel worried, uncomfortable or unsafe.
What do we teach children about online safety?
Throughout school, we help children to develop the knowledge and skills they need to make safe and responsible choices online. This includes:
Social media and online communication – understanding how to communicate safely and respectfully and being aware of age restrictions.
Gaming – understanding the risks associated with online gaming, including communicating with people they do not know.
Livestreaming and video sharing – understanding that live content can be recorded, shared and viewed by others, and that children may encounter inappropriate content or contact.
Privacy and personal information – keeping passwords, photographs, personal details and location private.
Online relationships and strangers – understanding that people online may not always be who they claim to be and recognising when someone may be trying to manipulate or groom them.
Cyberbullying – recognising unkind or harmful behaviour online and knowing how to block, report and seek help.
Harmful and inappropriate content – knowing what to do if they encounter content that is frightening, upsetting or unsuitable for their age.
Artificial intelligence (AI) – understanding that AI can create convincing but inaccurate or misleading information, images and videos, and knowing that images shared online can be misused.
Misinformation and disinformation – developing the skills to question whether information online is accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Online scams and manipulation – recognising suspicious messages, links, requests and attempts to obtain personal information.
Digital wellbeing – understanding the importance of balancing time spent online with sleep, exercise, relationships, learning and other activities.
Speaking up – knowing that they can always talk to a parent, carer, teacher or another trusted adult if something online worries or upsets them.
The SMART Rules
We use the SMART rules to help our younger children remember some important principles for staying safe online.
S – SAFE
Keep personal information private, including your full name, address, school, passwords and location.
M – MEET
Never meet someone you have only met online without talking to a parent, carer or trusted adult first.
A – ACCEPTING
Be careful when accepting messages, friend requests, links, files or other content from people you do not know.
R – RELIABLE
Remember that not everything online is true. People may not always be who they claim to be, and online content can be misleading or created using AI.
T – TELL
Tell a parent, carer, teacher or another trusted adult if something online worries, frightens or upsets you.
How can parents and carers help?
Parents and carers play an important role in helping children develop safe and positive online habits.
We recommend that you:
Take an interest in the apps, games, websites and platforms your child uses.
Check age ratings and the minimum age requirements for apps and services.
Use parental controls and privacy settings where appropriate.
Talk regularly with your child about what they are doing online.
Encourage your child to keep personal information and passwords private.
Remind children to think carefully before posting or sharing photographs, videos or other information.
Make sure your child knows how to block and report people or content that makes them uncomfortable.
Talk about the fact that not everything online is true or reliable.
Encourage a healthy balance between time online and other activities, including sleep, exercise, family time and learning.
Reassure your child that they can always come to you if something goes wrong online, even if they think they may have broken a rule.
Parental controls can be helpful, but they are not a replacement for regular conversations with your child. No filter is completely effective, so it is important that children know what to do and who they can talk to if they encounter something upsetting or inappropriate.
Useful Online Safety Resources
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is the education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Education team. It provides advice and resources for parents and carers about keeping children safer online, including online contact, gaming, livestreaming and other online risks. There are also resources specifically designed for primary-aged children and their families.
Thinkuknow – Parents and Carers
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
Internet Matters
Internet Matters provides practical advice and guidance for parents and carers covering a wide range of online safety issues, including social media, gaming, online relationships, screen time, privacy, misinformation and emerging technologies.
Internet Matters – Online Safety Advice https://www.internetmatters.org/
NSPCC
The NSPCC provides advice for parents and carers on keeping children safe online, including guidance about social media, gaming, livestreaming, inappropriate content, parental controls and online wellbeing.
NSPCC – OnlinSafety
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Childnet
Childnet is a UK charity working to make the internet a safer place for children and young people. Their website provides practical advice and resources for parents, carers and children.
Childnet – Parents and Carers
https://www.childnet.com/parents/
CEOP Education
CEOP Education is part of the National Crime Agency and provides advice about protecting children from online child sexual abuse and grooming.
If you are concerned that a child is being sexually abused or groomed online, you can report your concern to CEOP.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999
CEOP Education – Parents and Carers https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/
Childline
Childline provides free, confidential support for children and young people. Children can talk to Childline about anything that is worrying them, including bullying, online safety, gaming and problems with friends.
Children and young people can call Childline free on 0800 1111.
Childline – Online and Mobile Safety https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/
If Something Goes Wrong Online
If your child tells you that something has happened online:
Stay calm and listen. Reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you and that they are not to blame.
Where appropriate, save evidence such as messages or screenshots, use the platform’s block and report functions, and seek further advice.
If you are concerned about online abuse, grooming or another safeguarding issue, you can seek advice from the NSPCC or CEOP, depending on the nature of the concern.
Remember: Talk, Listen and Support
Children may sometimes worry that they will be in trouble if they tell an adult about something that has happened online. Reassure your child that they can always come to you for help.
Listen calmly, avoid blame and work together to find a solution.
Online safety is an ongoing conversation. As children grow, the technology and platforms they use will change, so continuing to talk openly about their online experiences is an important part of keeping them safe.