Keeping Children Safe Online
Advice for Parents and Carers
The internet is a normal part of everyday life for children and young people. They use it for learning, gaming, watching videos, staying in touch with friends and exploring their interests.
The online world can be fun, educational and creative, but it can also expose children to risks. As a parent or carer, you play an important role in helping your child stay safe online.
The best way to protect children online is through open conversations, trusted relationships and knowing where to get help if something goes wrong.
Why Online Safety Matters
Children can experience a range of online risks, including:
- Bullying.
- Contact from strangers.
- Online grooming.
- Child exploitation.
- Pressure to share images or videos.
- Scams and fraud.
- Harmful content.
- Cyberbullying.
- Online challenges and trends.
- Exposure to violence or inappropriate material.
Online harm can affect a child’s confidence, wellbeing, relationships and safety.
Signs a Child May Need Help
A child or young person may:
- Spend much more time online than usual.
- Become secretive about what they do online.
- Quickly hide screens, phones or tablets.
- Become worried or upset after being online.
- Receive gifts, money or rewards from people you do not know.
- Talk to people they have only met online.
- Have changes in mood or behaviour.
- Become withdrawn from friends or family.
- Have trouble sleeping.
- Seem anxious about messages, photos or videos.
- Suddenly stop using a device they previously used often.
These signs do not always mean something is wrong, but they may show that your child needs support or a conversation.
Top Tips to Help Keep Children Safe Online
Talk Openly and Often
Talk to your child about:
- What they enjoy doing online.
- Which apps and games they use.
- Who they talk to.
- What they would do if something worried them.
Make online safety part of everyday conversations.
Agree Family Rules
Create clear family rules about:
- Screen time.
- Appropriate apps and games.
- Privacy settings.
- Sharing information online.
Make sure rules are fair, realistic and age appropriate.
Use Parental Controls
Most devices, broadband providers and apps offer parental controls.
These can help:
- Block unsuitable content.
- Limit screen time.
- Restrict purchases.
- Manage privacy settings.
Parental controls work best when combined with regular conversations.
Protect Personal Information
Teach children not to share:
- Their full name.
- Home address.
- School details.
- Phone number.
- Passwords.
- Images with people they do not know.
Remind them that people online may not always be who they say they are.
Check Privacy Settings
Review privacy settings together.
Make sure:
- Accounts are private where possible.
- Location settings are turned off unless needed.
- Children know how to block and report people.
Online Grooming
Online grooming happens when someone builds a relationship with a child online in order to manipulate, control or exploit them.
A groomer may:
- Pretend to be a child or teenager.
- Give compliments and attention.
- Offer gifts or rewards.
- Encourage secrecy.
- Ask for photos, videos or personal information.
If a child is being encouraged to keep online conversations secret, seek advice immediately.
Sharing Images and Sextortion
Some children are pressured into sharing personal or sexual images online.
Sometimes people then threaten to share those images unless the child sends more pictures, money or follows instructions.
This is known as sextortion.
If this happens:
- Stay calm.
- Reassure your child they are not in trouble.
- Do not delete evidence.
- Report it immediately.
- Seek advice and support.
What To Do If Something Goes Wrong
If your child tells you something has happened online:
Do
- Stay calm.
- Listen carefully.
- Reassure them they have done the right thing by telling you.
- Keep evidence such as messages or screenshots.
- Report the problem.
Don’t
- Blame your child.
- Take away devices without explaining why.
- Ignore the concern.
Where Can I Get Help?
South Tyneside Online Safety Hub
South Tyneside Online Safety Hub
South Tyneside Online Safety Information
NSPCC
CEOP
If you are worried about online grooming or sexual exploitation:
https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/
Childline
Children and young people can contact Childline for confidential advice.
Telephone: 0800 1111
Worried About a Child?
If you are worried that a child is being harmed, groomed, exploited or abused online:
South Tyneside Children and Families Social Care
Telephone: 0191 424 5010
Out of Hours: 0191 456 2093
Emergency
Call 999 if a child is in immediate danger.
Key Message
You do not need to be an expert in technology to help keep your child safe online. The most important thing is having regular conversations, showing an interest in their online world and making sure they know they can come to you if something worries them. If something does not feel right, trust your instincts and seek advice.