Keeping your child safe online

As a parent, you want to protect your child and you will want to make sure that they are safe whatever they are doing. If your child understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online, they can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so - particularly from those people who might seek them out to harm them.

E-safety is a term which refers not only to the internet, but other ways in which young people communicate using electronic media, such as mobile phones. E-safety means ensuring that children and young people are protected from harm and supported to achieve the maximum benefit from new and developing technologies without risk to themselves or others. The aim of promoting e-safety is to protect young people from the adverse consequences of access or use of electronic media, including from bullying, inappropriate sexualised behaviour or exploitation.

How can I keep my child safe on-line?

It can be difficult to keep up with all of the new technology that is now available to children and young people. For many adults this represents a big difference from what they experienced as a child and parents can find themselves ill-equipped to offer guidance and support in this area. It is a good idea to set up suitable rules in your house, share them with your children and keep yourself up-to-date.

Simple ideas to try at home include:

Aside from the above, it is important to keep communication channels open and ensure that your child knows that they can come to you if things go wrong or they are worried. If a child is too frightened of being blamed if they confide, the likelihood is that further exploitation will take place and they will be at greater risk - including of bullying and negative impact on their mental health.

What to do if your child has been exploited on-line

If your child tells you that inappropriate images of them have been shared on-line by either themselves or someone else, you need to take action - including making a report:

Resources:

Useful websites: