Helping your child stay safe online

Children are using tablets, phones, games and online services from an increasingly young age. The online world can provide excellent opportunities for learning, creativity and communication, but children also need help to understand how to use it safely.

One of the most important things parents and carers can do is talk regularly about what their child does online.

Ask your child about the games, videos, apps and websites they enjoy. Encourage them to tell you if they ever see or experience something online that makes them feel worried, frightened, uncomfortable or confused.

Try to make this a normal conversation rather than something that only happens when something has gone wrong.

A simple message for younger children is:

If anything online makes you feel worried, scared or sad, stop and tell a grown-up you trust.

Jessie & Friends: ages 4–7

Jessie & Friends – CEOP Education

Jessie & Friends is produced by the National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team and is designed specifically for children aged 4–7.

Children can join Jessie, Tia and Mo as they learn about:

• watching videos
• sharing pictures
• playing games online
• chatting online
• recognising when something does not feel right
• telling a trusted grown-up when they are worried.

The newer interactive Jessie & Friends website allows children and parents to complete online safety activities together and earn badges while practising the important Tell A Grown Up (TAG) message.

We recommend that parents explore the activities with their child rather than leaving younger children to complete them independently.

Online safety for children aged 8–10

Band Runner – CEOP Education

For older primary children, CEOP's Band Runner website develops children's understanding of online safety through games and activities.

It covers:

• online gaming
• being kind online
• sharing photos and videos
• chatting online
• protecting private information
• exploring the internet safely.

Parents may also wish to watch the CEOP Play Like Share animations with their child. These help children recognise manipulative, pressurising or threatening behaviour online and understand when to seek help from a trusted adult.

Play Like Share – CEOP Education

Practical help for parents

You do not need to be a technology expert to help keep your child safe online. Regular conversations, appropriate supervision and sensible safety settings make a significant difference.

Useful sources of support include:

UK Government – Kids Online Safety
Help your child stay safe online

A current government parent hub containing practical advice about devices, gaming, online content, parental controls and talking to children about online safety.

NSPCC Online Safety
NSPCC – Keeping Children Safe Online

Advice for parents about phones, social media, online games, livestreaming, artificial intelligence, harmful content and online wellbeing.

Parental controls
NSPCC – Parental Controls

Step-by-step advice about using controls on broadband, phones, tablets, games consoles and apps.

CEOP Education
CEOP Education for Parents and Carers

Advice and age-appropriate resources produced by the National Crime Agency.

Five things parents can do

1. Keep talking. Ask your child what they enjoy doing online and who they interact with.
2. Use age-appropriate settings. Set up parental controls, privacy settings and content restrictions on devices, apps and your home internet.
3. Check age restrictions. Games, apps and social media platforms have minimum ages for a reason.
4. Keep younger children's online activity visible. Where possible, encourage children to use devices in shared family spaces.
5. Make it safe to tell you when something goes wrong. Children may worry that their device will be taken away if they admit they have made a mistake. Reassure them that they can always come to you for help.

If something has happened online

If your child tells you about something worrying online:

• stay calm and listen
• reassure them that they have done the right thing by telling you
• do not blame them
• keep relevant messages or evidence where appropriate
• use the platform's block and report functions
• seek further help if necessary.

Parents and carers can also speak to the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead if they are worried about something their child has experienced online.

Where there are concerns about online sexual abuse or exploitation, advice and reporting are available through the CEOP Safety Centre.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.