🌐 Keeping Your Child Safe Online

A Guide for Parents & Carers

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✅ Why online safety matters

Being online is a normal part of childhood—children use the internet to learn, play and stay in touch.

The UK government has introduced new protections to make online spaces safer. Platforms must now:

• Block harmful content
• Use age checks
• Reduce contact from strangers

👉 However, children still need support at home to stay safe.

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⚠️ What are the main online risks?

Children may experience:

👤 Contact with strangers

• Messaging people they don’t know (especially in games or group chats)
• People pretending to be someone else 

📱 Seeing harmful content

• Scary, violent or inappropriate material
• Content about self-harm or body image

💬 Online behaviour (cyberbullying)

• Mean messages or exclusion
• Fake accounts or sharing rumours

🔐 Privacy and sharing

• Giving away personal information
• Sharing photos or messages without thinking

⏱️ Screen time and wellbeing

• Too much time online can affect sleep and mood
• Fast-paced content can be overwhelming 

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🛡️ How can I keep my child safe?

1. 💬 Talk regularly

The most important thing you can do is keep talking.

Try asking:

• “What games do you enjoy?”
• “Who do you talk to online?”
• “What would you do if something upset you?”

👉 Children are more likely to ask for help if they feel listened to. 

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2. ⚙️ Use parental controls

Parental controls can help you:

• Filter harmful content
• Limit screen time
• Block purchases

👉 Remember: controls help, but they don’t replace conversations. 

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3. 📏 Set clear boundaries

Agree simple rules together:

• When and where devices can be used
• Which apps and games are allowed
• Screen-free times (e.g. bedtime)

👉 Always check age ratings before allowing new apps or games. 

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4. 🧠 Teach your child key skills

Help your child learn how to:

• Block or report users
• Keep personal details private
• Recognise when something feels wrong

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🚸 Simple rules for children

You could share these with your child:

✅ Only talk to people you know in real life
✅ Ask before downloading apps or games
✅ Keep personal information private
✅ Tell a trusted adult if something worries you
✅ Be kind and respectful online

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⚡ New and emerging risks

Technology changes quickly. Current concerns include:

• Children chatting with unknown players in games
• Fake profiles or misleading content
• AI-generated images or scams

👉 Staying curious and involved in your child’s online life is key.

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🆘 What if something goes wrong?

Reassure your child:

• They will not be in trouble
• You will help them sort it out

You can:

• Block or report the user
• Save evidence (screenshots)
• Speak to the school if needed

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🤝 Working together

Schools teach online safety through the curriculum, but it works best when home and school send the same message.

👉 By working together, we can help children:

• Stay safe
• Build confidence
• Use technology positively

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✔️ Key message

💡 The best protection is a combination of:

• Talking regularly
• Setting boundaries
• Using safety tools