Keeping Children Safe Online

Our kids will grow up only knowing life with the Internet, so how to keep them safe online?

A Positive Approach to Online Safety

Online safety for children is an important topic and should be addressed and approached with a positive and welcoming mindset. Digital technologies are creating the world around us and we must all take responsibility to educate and help children safely navigate the digital space.

If we do this successfully, our children will be free to learn and experience more than many of us could ever have imagined.

Open, Honest Conversation

Keeping children safe online is all about openness and honesty. Conversations about online safety should engage young people on the topics of interest to them, whether that may be social media, gaming, chatting, or browsing and learning, as well as giving support, guidance and advice on how to behave and report content if needed.

If you can focus on these three key principles, you will find your conversations about online safety are well-received and have a lasting effect.

Trust

Make sure your children or the young people you are speaking with feel trusted. If you do not, you will quickly find any conversations you have about being online become defensive and protective, creating an environment of privacy, uncertainty, and silence.

Positivity

The internet is incredible. Jaw-droppingly, mind-blowingly, world-changingly amazing. The potential it holds is unfathomable and it can enrich our lives in ways that were never possible for humankind before 1990. The benefits of being online far outweigh the risks.

Empowerment

By giving young people the tools and strategies to navigate their online experience safely, you will empower them to achieve and discover more. When we practice online safety, we unlock great potential in ourselves and the people with whom we interact.

Find out more at our Online Safety page

Safer Internet Day

A great way to get involved and start talking to children about online safety is Safer Internet Day! It's in February each year.

Find out more at our Safer Internet Day page

Online Safety Knowledgebase

Why Is Your Online Reputation Important?

Find out why online reputation is so important for the digital age.

What is Anonymous Reporting?

In contrast to the promises of anonymity, a reporting process often equates to varying levels of transparency, accountability and communication

Why Should You Use an Anonymous Reporting Tool?

How will an anonymous reporting tool increase awareness of issues and improve safeguarding

Why does my school need online safety training?

Online safety just kind of happens... Right? Unfortunately not. Online safety training should be every school's priority, as it is a vital part of safeguarding and duty of care.