Keeping Kids Safe Online: Practical Tips for Parents

Almost every child now has the internet within reach. According to Ofcom’s research, 97% of children aged 0 to 18 had online access. Meanwhile, 63% of parents believe time online is harming their child’s health. So how do you help your family stay safe?

Sam Cruz Thompson, Head of ICT at Abbot’s Hill school, says ignoring technology will not make children behave more safely. Peer pressure, fear of missing out and apps like TikTok mean parents need to put in more effort than ever. The good news is that a few clear habits go a long way to keeping kids safe online.

How children use the internet

Ofcom found that most children aged 3 to 17 get online through mobile phones (69%) and tablets (64%). Watching videos on sites like YouTube and TikTok is close to universal, with up to 96% of young people doing it. Gaming is also hugely popular, enjoyed by nine in ten (89%).

The way they use technology will keep changing, so it is worth staying curious about what your child actually does online.

The four risks to know

Safer Internet groups online risks into four areas.

• Content: not everything online is suitable or true. Teach children to judge whether a source can be trusted and to respect copyright.
• Conduct: oversharing can cause problems. Children should understand their digital footprint, protect personal details and report anything inappropriate.
• Contact: online friends are not always who they say they are. Review friend lists, use privacy settings and make sure children know to tell a trusted adult if something feels wrong.
• Commercialism: adverts and hidden costs in apps and games can catch children out. Block pop-ups and spam, switch off in-app purchases and use a family email address for forms.

For parents, the biggest worries are a child seeing something unsuitable for their age (75%) and online bullying (70%).

Keeping kids safe online: building safer habits

Start with talking. Schools often teach safe internet use and how to spot scams, and you can continue that at home by chatting openly about who your children are speaking to online.

Then use the tools available. Depending on age, you can restrict content, limit apps, cap time online and require approval before new apps or sites are accessed.

Finally, boost tech literacy. Children should know what they can do online, how to manage settings and how to tell whether a site is trustworthy. Teachers can help if you are unsure how to raise it.

Cutting down screen time at home

Leading by example is powerful. If you limit your own device use, children are more likely to follow. Reducing screen time can also stop over-reliance on technology and leave space for hobbies that suit their personalities.

Having activities ready for downtime helps, especially for children who are used to sitting in front of a screen.

Making it a family conversation

Rules work best when children understand the reasons behind them. Sit down together and agree what is and is not acceptable, rather than handing down instructions. Children who feel listened to are more likely to come to you when something goes wrong.

Make it clear that they will not be in trouble for telling you about something upsetting. That reassurance is one of the most useful safety tools you have, and it costs nothing.

Final thought

You do not need to be a tech expert. Stay involved, keep the conversation going and adjust the rules as your child grows.