While there are huge benefits to being online, particularly over the last couple of years, we are also aware of the challenges that parents face in keeping their children safe in the ever-changing online environment.
The links below are there to support you in creating a safe online environment for your child.
It is important to:
- Talk to your child regularly about staying safe online, encourage open communication, so they feel confident to approach you if they come across any worrying content
- Support your child to create a safe online environment, this includes supporting them to keep their passwords safe
You can report harmful online content by clicking on this button (this service is provided by the UK Safer Internet Centre).
Has a nude picture of your child been posted online? This page will help you have this image removed from the internet:
Online safety guidance for parents
Reviewing apps and games
https://www.taminggaming.com and https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ and https://www.internetmatters.org/resources/apps-guide/
Squid Game – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58958698 and https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/squid-game/user-reviews/adult https://www.askaboutgames.com/
Reporting a problem
A national reporting centre (run by the UK Safer Internet Centre) for harmful content online https://reportharmfulcontent.com/
Internet Watch Foundation (UK Hotline) for reporting illegal content online – child sexual abuse images https://www.iwf.org.uk/
How to report suspicious emails (NCSC)
Report remove tool for nude images (under 18)
Other useful resources/research
Ofcom – children’s media use and attitudes report (April 2022)
Ofcom – seven tips to stay connected
Ofcom – weekly research on how people are receiving and acting on information during the pandemic
Online Safety: Resources and useful links February 2022 karl@esafetyltd.co.uk
Mental Health Foundation – talking to your children about scary world news
Over 100 research summaries from the UKCIS evidence group
The Power of Image Report (Safer Internet Day 2017)
Digital friendships report (Safer Internet Day 2018)
Our Internet Our Choice – Consent in a Digital World (Safer Internet Day 2019)
deShame – (young people’s experience of sexual harassment online)
YouTube
Age appropriate design code (ICO) https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisations/guide-to-data-protection/key-data-protection-themes/ageappropriate-design-a-code-of-practice-for-online-services-2-1.pdf