05/02/2024

A parent's guide to keeping kids safe online on safer internet day

Safer Internet Day serves as a reminder for parents to take proactive steps in ensuring their children's online safety. With the digital landscape constantly evolving, it's crucial for parents to be well-informed and actively involved in their children's online activities. This guide provides practical tips to create a safer online environment for kids.

What's Safer Internet Day?

Taking place in February each year, Safer Internet Day is all about raising awareness to create a safer and better internet for all, with a particular focus on children and young people.

With the message of working "Together for a better internet", 6th February is a great time to consider what we can do to encourage better online practices to keep children safe. Here are our top tips for parents:

Open communication

Establish an open line of communication with your children. Encourage them to share their online experiences, friends, and any concerns they may have. Create an environment where your children feel comfortable discussing their online activities without fear of punishment.

Set clear boundaries

Establish clear rules and boundaries regarding screen time, online platforms, and appropriate content. Discuss the importance of responsible online behaviour, such as treating others with respect, avoiding cyberbullying, and not sharing personal information.

Educate on privacy

Teach your children about the importance of protecting their personal information. Remind them to use strong, unique passwords for each online account, and discuss the potential risks of sharing personal details on social media platforms.

Parental controls

Utilize parental control features provided by internet service providers, devices, and applications. These tools allow you to restrict access to inappropriate content, set time limits, and monitor your child's online activities.

Stay informed

Keep yourself updated on the latest apps, social media platforms, and online trends. Familiarize yourself with the privacy settings of popular platforms to ensure your child's safety. Regularly review and adjust these settings as needed.

Cyber hygiene

Teach your children about good cyber hygiene practices, including the importance of updating software and apps regularly. Discuss the risks associated with clicking on unfamiliar links, downloading unknown files, and engaging with strangers online.

Encourage critical thinking

Help your children develop critical thinking skills to evaluate online content. Teach them to question the reliability of information, recognize potential scams, and differentiate between reliable and unreliable sources.

Be a digital role model

Demonstrate responsible online behaviour by setting a positive example. Your children are likely to follow your lead, so model good habits such as respectful communication, responsible sharing, and appropriate screen time management.

Online friends

Discuss the importance of being cautious when making online friends. Emphasise the difference between virtual and real-world relationships and encourage your children to share concerns about online interactions with you.

Monitor and supervise

Regularly monitor your child's online activities, but do this in a supportive and non-intrusive manner. Be aware of the apps and games they are using and periodically check their messages and online contacts.

By fostering open communication, setting clear boundaries, and staying informed, parents can create a safer online environment for their children. Safer Internet Day serves as a reminder to prioritize online safety and equip children with the skills to navigate the digital world responsibly.