Keeping Children Safe On The Internet

How do we protect children on the internet?

Being a parent in today's world can be really difficult with trying to keep up with the latest apps and games, so we are going to discuss a few tips and give you some tools that will help you protect your children from inappropriate content and online groomers.

As soon as your child has access to the internet, it would be best if you started having conversations about things they may encounter.

Explain to them that they can always come and talk to you or one of their safe adults if :

• They find inappropriate images (or if you are talking to a young child, you could explain that sometimes there are pictures of people with no clothes on).
• If they come across anything on the internet that they don't understand or that upsets them.
• If someone they don't know tries to engage with them on social media or on a game
• If they encounter anything inappropriate, be calm and reassuring so they will continue to share with you when they have problems or questions.

Exploring sites and apps with your child

Exploring sites and apps with your child is a great way to find out about their interests and also an excellent way to find out if the apps they are using are safe and age-appropriate.

These online activities may increase the possibility that a child could see inappropriate content.

• Joining social networks before reaching the minimum age
• Playing games and using apps which are not age-appropriate
• Watching live streams which may show inappropriate content or taking part in them and unconsciously being exploited

*Source https://www.internetmatters.org

A survey by the non-profit group Common Sense Media showed that 8 to 12 year-olds were online six hours per day, much of it on social platforms, and 13 to 18 year-olds nine hours PER DAY

These figures are eye watering!!

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