Advice for parents and carers

Here are some useful tips for parents and carers on how to keep your child safe when online:

1. start early: discuss internet safety with your child from a young age. Studies show that even primary school children experience cyberbullying and inappropriate online content
2. keep communication open: let your child know they can always approach you with any concerns about online content or uncomfortable online interactions
3. report abuse: familiarise yourself and your child with the report abuse buttons on social platforms to report cyberbullying or inappropriate material. Encourage your child to report incidents too
4. use parental controls: make use of parental control settings to block certain websites or content that may be unsuitable for your child. Seek out child-friendly software or "kids-mode apps." 

Websites for support

Internet Matters website provides plenty of useful advice about safety setting for your child's devices and apps, along with guidance to tackle online to protect your child from harm.

Safety Detectives website provides tip for parents on how to monitor their child's YouTube activity.

NSPCC is here to provide parent and children with online safety advice, and to protect them and help them recover from abuse.

UK Safer Internet Centre download tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.

Thinkuknow provides training, age appropriate resources and information to professionals working with children, young people and their families.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) use the report abuse button for advice and to report online abuse such as grooming.

Childnet has developed guidance for parents and carers to begin a conversation about online safety, as well as guidance on keeping under-fives safe online.