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Helping Your Child Stay Safe Online

Teen on phone and computer

The internet can be a brilliant place for learning, playing and staying connected but it’s normal to worry about what children might come across online.

Keeping your child safe online can sometimes feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Many parents want their children to enjoy playing, learning, and exploring the digital world safely, yet aren’t always sure where to begin with how to make the online world a safe place for them to explore.

This section will guide you through practical steps you can take to support your child’s online safety, whatever stage you’re currently at.

Open and regular conversations help children feel comfortable coming to you if something doesn’t feel right.

  • Ask what apps, games or sites they enjoy.
  • Chat about how to handle worrying or confusing situations online.
  • Let them know they can always talk to you—no matter what has happened.

Open and regular conversations help children feel comfortable coming to you if something doesn’t feel right.

  • Ask what apps, games or sites they enjoy.
  • Chat about how to handle worrying or confusing situations online.
  • Let them know they can always talk to you—no matter what has happened.

A few simple steps can make a big difference:

  • Encourage them to keep passwords and log‑in details private and secure.
  • Remind them not to share personal information like their address or school details.
  • Talk about why privacy matters and how small actions keep them safer.

National Cyber Security Centre - Top Tips to online safety

A few simple steps can make a big difference:

  • Encourage them to keep passwords and log‑in details private and secure.
  • Remind them not to share personal information like their address or school details.
  • Talk about why privacy matters and how small actions keep them safer.

National Cyber Security Centre - Top Tips to online safety

You don’t need to be an expert—there are lots of easy tools to help.

  • Set up age‑appropriate parental controls on phones, tablets, consoles and smart TVs.
  • Use home filtering to block unsuitable websites.
  • Regularly check settings, as apps and devices update all the time.

NSPCC guide to parental controls

You don’t need to be an expert—there are lots of easy tools to help.

  • Set up age‑appropriate parental controls on phones, tablets, consoles and smart TVs.
  • Use home filtering to block unsuitable websites.
  • Regularly check settings, as apps and devices update all the time.

NSPCC guide to parental controls

Showing interest can help your child feel supported and more likely to share concerns.

  • Play online games together.
  • Ask them to show you their favourite apps.
  • Learn together about new features, social platforms or trends.

Showing interest can help your child feel supported and more likely to share concerns.

  • Play online games together.
  • Ask them to show you their favourite apps.
  • Learn together about new features, social platforms or trends.

Children can experience different types of harm online, such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, fake profiles or pressure from peers.

  • Remind them not to chat with people they don’t know in real life.
  • Encourage them to come to you if they receive upsetting messages or see something disturbing.
  • Explain that it’s okay to “click away” and talk to you if something feels off.

Children can experience different types of harm online, such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, fake profiles or pressure from peers.

  • Remind them not to chat with people they don’t know in real life.
  • Encourage them to come to you if they receive upsetting messages or see something disturbing.
  • Explain that it’s okay to “click away” and talk to you if something feels off.

Children need to know you’re on their side.

  • Stay calm if they tell you about a mistake.
  • Let them know they won’t be in trouble for being honest.
  • Show that you're proud when they make positive, safe choices online.

Children need to know you’re on their side.

  • Stay calm if they tell you about a mistake.
  • Let them know they won’t be in trouble for being honest.
  • Show that you're proud when they make positive, safe choices online.

These organisations offer free, practical advice for parents:

  • Thinkuknow (NCA‑CEOP): resources for all age groups to help children navigate online risks. You can also use this site to Report abuse to CEOP.
  • Childnet: guidance to help you start conversations about safety, including tips for under‑fives.
  • Parent Zone: expert articles on apps, online behaviour, and digital wellbeing.
  • NSPCC: advice on privacy, social media and supporting children who feel worried about online content.
  • UK Safer Internet Centre: tips for parents and a place to report harmful content.
  • Inclusive Digital Safety Hub: support and tailored advice for young people with additional learning needs and their parents or carers.
  • Kids Online Safety: Government resource providing practical information to help you feel more confident taking steps to make your child or young person safe online. 

These organisations offer free, practical advice for parents:

  • Thinkuknow (NCA‑CEOP): resources for all age groups to help children navigate online risks. You can also use this site to Report abuse to CEOP.
  • Childnet: guidance to help you start conversations about safety, including tips for under‑fives.
  • Parent Zone: expert articles on apps, online behaviour, and digital wellbeing.
  • NSPCC: advice on privacy, social media and supporting children who feel worried about online content.
  • UK Safer Internet Centre: tips for parents and a place to report harmful content.
  • Inclusive Digital Safety Hub: support and tailored advice for young people with additional learning needs and their parents or carers.
  • Kids Online Safety: Government resource providing practical information to help you feel more confident taking steps to make your child or young person safe online.