Promoting online safety and supporting parents in managing it at home is a valuable initiative. Here are 10 tips to support parents in managing online safety at home. 

10 Tips for managing Online Safety at Home

Here are practical ways to help parents manage online safety at home:

1. Set Clear Family Rules for Technology Use

• Create a Family Agreement: Establish rules about screen time, appropriate content, and device-free zones, such as during meals or bedtime.
• Model Good Behaviour: Demonstrate healthy digital habits as parents.  

2. Use Parental Controls

• Enable built-in parental controls on devices, browsers, and apps to filter inappropriate content.
• Set up safe search options on platforms like Google, YouTube, and streaming services.

3. Supervise Internet Use

• Keep devices in common areas of the home for easy supervision.
• For younger children, sit with them while they use devices to guide and monitor their activity.
• Periodically review browser histories and app usage to ensure safety.

4. Encourage Open Communication

• Regularly talk to your children about their online activities, including games, apps, and social media.
• Teach your children to ask for help if they see or experience anything uncomfortable online.
• Avoid overreacting to mistakes online to foster a safe environment for sharing concerns.

5. Teach Online Privacy and Security

• Protect Personal Information: Help your children to understand why they shouldn’t share personal details like their address, school name, or photos online.
• Strong Passwords: Parents should set strong passwords and encourage children to do the same.
• Privacy Settings: Parents should ensure that they adjust privacy settings on social media and apps.

6. Be Aware of Online Risks

• Educate your children about:
• The dangers of interacting with strangers online.
• Identifying and reporting cyberbullying.
• Spotting scams or phishing attempts.

7. Encourage Healthy Screen Time Habits

• Set age-appropriate limits on screen time to ensure a balance between online and offline activities.
• Encourage offline activities, such as outdoor play, reading, or family games.
• Use tools like apps or device settings to monitor and limit screen usage.

8. Provide Educational Tools

• Share child-friendly resources to teach online safety, such as:
• BBC Own It for younger children.
• ThinkUKnow for age-appropriate safety advice.
• Internet Matters for family guidance.

9. Stay Updated on Trends and Apps

• Encourage parents to stay informed about popular apps, games, and platforms children use.
• Discuss the risks associated with specific platforms, like social media apps, gaming chat rooms, and live-streaming sites.

10. Teach Problem-Solving Skills

• Show your children how to report or block users on platforms and apps.
• Emphasise that children should never meet someone in person they’ve only interacted with online.

By adopting these strategies, parents can create a safer digital environment at home while helping their children develop the skills to navigate the online world responsibly.

Internet Matters Age Guide

Internet Matters website

See school policies tab for more information Esafety Policy