Stay safe online resources

Keep children and young people safe online

Children and young people live in a connected world - whether they’re gaming, chatting with friends, watching videos, or doing schoolwork. The internet can be exciting, creative and social, but it also comes with risks.

Online safety isn’t just about rules and filters. It’s about building trust, teaching digital confidence, and supporting children to make good choices. You don’t need to be a tech expert to help - just engaged, informed and willing to talk.

Start with open, positive conversations

  • Start early - before your child begins using the internet independently - and keep the conversation going as they grow.
  • Talk regularly and openly. Ask what they enjoy online, what worries them, and how they’d respond if something didn’t feel right.
  • Use real-life comparisons to make things relatable. For example: “Would you tell a stranger in a shop where you live?”
  • Avoid scare tactics - praise good choices and responsible behaviour as much as you set limits or give warnings.

Resources to explore

Support their social lives online

Digital life is social life for many children. Helping them navigate friendships and peer pressure is a big part of staying safe.

  • Know what platforms and games they use - and who they’re talking to.
  • Help them set accounts to private and report or block people they don’t know.
  • Talk about cyberbullying, peer pressure, image-sharing, and what to do if they’re upset or unsure.
  • Reinforce the idea that it’s OK to say no or leave a group chat.
  • Encourage kindness, empathy, and thinking before sharing.

Resources to explore

Build your child’s digital resilience

Online safety isn't just about restrictions - it's about giving children the skills to spot danger, manage risk, and make good choices.

  • Talk about how content is created, including ads, fake reviews, and clickbait.
  • Encourage healthy scepticism - ask: “Who made this?” “Why was it posted?” “Is it true?”
  • Teach them what to do if something feels wrong: pause, screenshot if needed, and talk to a trusted adult.
  • Lead by example - share how you manage tricky messages, privacy settings, or dodgy links.

Good habits to encourage

  • Only accept friend requests from people they know offline.
  • Be cautious with quizzes, games, and links.
  • Think carefully before posting photos or opinions.
  • Leave or mute group chats that feel uncomfortable or overwhelming.

Talking points for children

  • Not everything trending is safe or true.
  • Avoid sharing personal details, locations, or school information.
  • It’s OK to block or report users who make them uncomfortable.
  • Remind them that videos can be downloaded or shared beyond their control.

Tips for success

  • Agree limits together so children understand why they’re in place.
  • Review settings as your child grows and their needs change.
  • Focus on balance, not just restriction - offline time matters too.

Resources and training to explore

Build good habits together

  • Agree household rules together - children are more likely to follow them if they’ve helped create them.
  • Use filters and parental settings to block known risks.
  • Encourage shared screen time so you stay involved.
  • Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
  • Keep conversations going - check in regularly.
  • Model healthy digital habits - what you do matters more than what you say.
  • Discuss privacy and oversharing - help children understand what’s OK to post.
  • Choose age-appropriate apps and games that follow the UK’s Children’s Code.

Resources to explore

Create a safer digital environment

You don’t need to monitor everything - but you can shape a safe environment using tools and routines

  • Set up parental controls and filters on broadband, devices, apps, and games.
  • Use child profiles or supervised accounts (e.g. YouTube Kids or Google Family Link).
  • Place devices in shared spaces rather than bedrooms.
  • Use screen time settings to help balance time online.
  • Keep adult accounts private and protected with strong passwords.
  • Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts.
  • Make sure antivirus protection is switched on and up to date.

TikTok safety features

TikTok is popular with children and teens, but it includes built-in tools that can reduce risk when set up properly.

Key safety settings on TikTok

  • Family pairing – lets parents link their account to their child’s account to manage screen time, direct messages, and restricted content.
  • Private accounts – limits who can see videos and interact.
  • Comment controls – restrict who can comment or turn comments off.
  • Direct messages – automatically limited for younger users.
  • Screen time management – set daily limits and reminders to take breaks.
  • Restricted mode – reduces exposure to potentially inappropriate content.

Facebook and Messenger safety

Although Facebook is officially for users aged 13+, some younger children still encounter it through family accounts or Messenger. Helpful safety tools on Facebook and Messenger:

  • Privacy checkup - guides users through who can see posts and personal info.
  • Friends-only profiles - reduce contact from strangers.
  • Blocking and reporting tools - easy ways to manage unwanted contact.
  • Messenger Kids (for younger children) - parent-approved contacts only, no ads, and supervision controls.

Apps and tools to limit screen time

Limiting screen time isn’t about punishment - it helps children develop balance and healthy habits. Built-in phone tools:

Apple Screen Time

  • Set daily app limits.
  • Schedule downtime (e.g. bedtime or homework hours).
  • Approve or block app downloads.

Google Family Link

  • Manage apps, permissions, and screen time.
  • Lock devices remotely.
  • View activity reports.

Resources to explore

  • NCSC: Keeping children safe online
  • Internet Matters: Parental controls by device

Know what to do if something goes wrong

Even with the best preparation, things can still go wrong. What matters most is how you respond.

  • Stay calm and supportive - reassure them that they’ve done the right thing by telling you.
  • Ask open questions about what happened, what they saw, or who contacted them.
  • Don’t delete messages or evidence - take screenshots if needed.
  • Report harmful content to platforms or official bodies.
  • If there’s serious risk (e.g. grooming, sexual images, radicalisation), contact school, safeguarding services or the police.

Resources to explore

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Are you feeling worried, anxious or upset?

Childline is available online, on the phone, anytime. If you are feeling worried, anxious or upset as a result of anything - including things that have happened online - call Childline on 0800 1111 anytime - they can listen and help.

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