Internet Safety

Children and young people spend a lot of time online – it can be a great way for them to socialise, explore and have fun. But children do also face risks like Cyber bullying, seeing content that’s inappropriate and many others.

It can be very tricky trying to monitor how secure your child’s online journey is. We have created this page to help adults support children in understanding the dangers and the necessary steps to safeguard your children.

Below are links (click image) to websites that will offer information on how to make your child’s internet experience a little safer-

NSPCC ONLINE SAFETY

Helpful advice and tools you can use to help keep your child safe whenever and wherever they go online.

Net Aware

Your guide to the social networks your children use.

Vodaphone Digital parenting

Full of resources and advice centre around online safety.

Safer internet

Have you stumbled across something worrying online? Do you need to tell others where to report online content which might be criminal in nature?

Think U Know?

A link to Think U Know’s Parent and Carers guide to social media.

BBC Own It

The BBC have a website and app called Own It. The website has a lot of content for children to help them navigate their online lives, and the free smartphone app comes with a special keyboard which can intervene with help and support in the moments that children need it the most. It can be downloaded for free in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

SafeToNet

SafeToNet is an app for parents to help you safeguard your children from online risks like cyberbullying and sexting, whilst respecting their child’s rights to privacy. The SafeToNet Foundation is providing UK families with free access to 1 million licences during coronavirus.

Government Guidance

The government have updated their guidance about keeping children safe online, the update includes information about apps parents and children can use to safeguard children online.

Internet Watch Foundation

A new IWF (Internet Watch Foundation) safety campaign aims to help parents have conversations with their children about keeping their 'door' closed to child sexual abusers. The campaign includes a booklet for parents, explaining the risks, explaining why children are vulnerable, and suggests practice steps that parents can take.

The mnemonic used in the campaign is TALK:

TALK to your child about online sexual abuse. Start the conversation – and listen to their concerns.
AGREE ground rules about the way you use technology as a family.
LEARN about the platforms and apps your child loves. Take an interest in their online life.
KNOW how to use tools, apps and settings that can help to keep your child safe online.

https://talk.iwf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/A-guide-for-parents-and-carers-v7.pdf

Popular Social Media Apps

The link below is to a set of resources to promote online safety by understanding the different apps and social media platforms that are commonly used by children

https://www.policedsc.com/security-advice/safeguarding

Click each icon for further info on the following popular apps.