Online Safety For Parents

The internet plays an important role in children’s learning, creativity and communication. However, alongside its many benefits, the online world also presents risks that parents and carers should be aware of. These can include exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying, pressure through social media, contact with strangers, misinformation, and risks linked to privacy and data sharing.

At our school, keeping children safe—both offline and online—is a priority. This page has been created to support parents and carers in understanding the online risks children may face and how to help them navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

Here you will find up-to-date guidance, practical advice, recommended tools, and links to trusted external resources. These resources are designed to help you start conversations at home, set appropriate boundaries, and respond confidently to any concerns about your child’s online activity. We believe that by working together, we can help children develop the skills they need to use the internet safely, respectfully and positively.

Top Tips for Keeping Children Safe Online

• Talk little and often
  Have regular conversations about what your child does online. Encourage them to talk to you if something worries them or makes them uncomfortable.

• Set clear boundaries
  Agree on rules for screen time, age-appropriate apps, games and websites. Make sure children understand why these boundaries are important.

• Use parental controls and privacy settings
  Activate parental controls on devices, apps, streaming services and broadband. Check privacy settings regularly, as updates can change them.

• Know the apps and games your child uses
  Be aware of age ratings, in-app purchases, chat functions and who your child can communicate with.

• Teach children to protect personal information
  Remind them never to share personal details such as their full name, address, school, passwords or photos with people they don’t know.

• Encourage respectful online behaviour
  Talk about kindness, respect and the impact of words online. Make sure your child knows that bullying or sharing harmful content is never acceptable.

• Be alert to changes in behaviour
  Sudden mood changes, secrecy around devices, or reluctance to go online (or come offline) may be signs that something is wrong.

• Model positive online behaviour
  Children learn from adults. Show good habits around screen use, social media and respectful communication.

• Know where to get help
  Familiarise yourself with reporting tools on apps and games, and know where to seek support if you have concerns.

Social Media Age Restrictions

• Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat and X - all from 13 years old. 

• WhatsApp - from 16 years old. 

• YouTube - from 18 years old (13-17 requires parental guidance). 

Resources

NSPCC - Keeping children safe online - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/

NSPCC online safety quiz - does your child know how to stay safe online? Test their knowledge with this online quiz - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/quiz/

Childline online safety - https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/

Young Minds - social media & mental health - https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/social-media/

Childnet - family agreement tool; a practical tool to start discussions about how to behave online and set clear expectations for your family. - https://www.childnet.com/resources/family-agreement/

Generative AI cheat sheet 

Group chats cheat sheet 

Advice for Gaming

What parents need to know about Roblox - https://www.openvieweducation.co.uk/roblox-parent-guide/

Minecraft parents guide - https://www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/parents--guide-minecraft

Nintendo - parents support - https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Support/Parental-Controls/Parents-642522.html?srsltid=AfmBOoqU0o5zMWuZnu80ZRB7n7ZFDOkknF48Qr8pu4w1shtfX4P6gRik

What parents need to know about Fortnite - https://www.esrb.org/blog/fortnite-battle-royale-everything-parents-need-to-know/