Hi everyone, With so much of our children’s lives happening online from schoolwork to socialising it’s more important than ever to make sure they’re safe while surfing the web. Here are a few key tips and reminders for parents and carers: 👀 1. Know What They’re Using Take an interest in the apps, games and websites your child uses. Many popular platforms (like TikTok, Snapchat, and Roblox) have age restrictions and built-in safety settings — make sure they’re turned on! 🔒 2. Privacy Matters Teach kids not to share personal details like their full name, address, school, phone number or passwords online — even with people they think they know. 💬 3. Online = Real Life Remind them that what they post online can have real world consequences. Encourage respectful behaviour and talk about cyber bullying and how to report it. 🧠 4. Encourage Open Chats Make it easy for them to talk to you if something online makes them uncomfortable. Reassure them they won’t get in trouble for being honest. 👨👩👧👦 5. Set Boundaries Consider screen time limits and agree on online “downtime” as a family (like no phones at bedtime). Keep screens in shared spaces when possible. ⚠️ 6. Be Scam & Stranger Aware Online friends might not be who they say they are. Teach your child to be cautious about accepting friend requests or clicking links from strangers. 📱 Helpful Tools: Use parental controls (available on most broadband providers & devices)Check out Net Aware (NSPCC) and Thinkuknow for trusted advice and age-appropriate guides.Let’s work together to keep our young people safe, confident, and informed online 💬👦👧 Feel free to share with other families in the area! |