Advice for Parents and Carers

The internet offers wonderful opportunities for children to learn, play and stay connected. However, knowing how best to support your child online can sometimes feel confusing.

You do not need to be a technology expert to help. Regular conversations, shared experiences and sensible settings can make a difference.

Worried about your child’s safety online?

Please contact the school office on 01706 822063 and ask to speak to Mrs Cromey, our Designated Safeguarding Lead, or one of our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Do not wait for a response from school.

Talking to your child about life online

Take an interest in the games, apps and videos your child enjoys. Short, regular conversations can help children feel comfortable asking for help.

Try asking:

• “What have you enjoyed playing or watching?”
• “Who do you play or chat with?”
• “Has anything made you feel worried or uncomfortable?”
• “What would you do if someone asked you to keep an online secret?”

Remind your child that they can tell you if something goes wrong—even if they have clicked on something accidentally or broken a family rule. Listen calmly and thank them for telling you.

NSPCC: Advice on keeping children safe online

Setting up devices and parental controls

Before your child uses a new phone, tablet, console or app, check its safety settings together.

• Use an age-appropriate child account where available.
• Check who can contact your child and see their information.
• Review location sharing, chat features and spending permissions.
• Set up parental controls on your home broadband, devices and individual apps.
• Revisit settings as your child grows and starts using new services.

Parental controls can help reduce risks, but they cannot block everything. Use them alongside conversations and supervision.

Internet Matters: Step-by-step parental controls guides

Choosing games, apps and videos

Explore new games and apps together before agreeing to use them. Check age ratings and minimum-age requirements, and consider whether the content and features suit your child.

Look beyond the game itself: children may be able to chat with others, receive private messages, make purchases or follow links to other content.

Visit our Guides to Games and Apps page for information about particular platforms.

Screen time and family routines

Agree routines that work for your family, including when devices can be used and where they are kept at bedtime.

Think about what your child is doing online, how it makes them feel and whether it leaves enough time for sleep, physical activity, learning and time together. Give children a little warning before it is time to finish a game or activity.

Adults can help by modelling the same habits.

Internet Matters: Screen time advice for families

Online bullying and upsetting experiences

If your child receives unkind messages or sees something upsetting:

• Listen calmly and reassure them that asking for help was the right thing to do.
• Encourage them not to retaliate.
• Use the app or game’s blocking and reporting tools.
• Note usernames, dates and what happened.
• Contact school if your child needs support, including when an incident happens outside school.

Do not download, screenshot or forward sexual images of anyone under 18. Seek advice about reporting them.

Internet Matters: Help with online bullying

For concerns about online sexual abuse or grooming, use the CEOP Safety Centre.

For advice and support with reporting other harmful online material, visit Report Harmful Content.

Supporting children with additional needs

Some children benefit from extra repetition, visual reminders and practising what to do in different situations. Keep guidance clear and specific, and check that your child knows who they can ask for help.

Please speak to school if you would like support adapting online safety advice to your child’s needs.

Internet Matters: Online safety advice for children with additional needs

Keep up to date

Read our Online Safety Newsletters for further advice to support your family.