Ensuring Children’s Online Safety
The summer holidays are here, and it’s more important than ever for parents and carers to equip themselves with the knowledge and tools to ensure their child’s online safety. Without the daily structure of school, young people might be tempted to spend more time on their devices. At The Cyber Trust, we’re here to support you with practical tips and resources to help your child navigate the online world safely during the summer break. Please take 5 mins to help shape our future work by taking our survey. https://bit.ly/4flNq9l
Moving on up to secondary school Is your child just one summer holiday away from starting Year 7? Transitioning from primary to secondary education involves many changes, and understanding the online landscape is crucial. From the pressure to fit in to managing friend requests and dealing with online bullying, we provide essential resources to address these issues and prepare your child for a smooth transition.
Group Chats Your child’s class may stay in touch over the holidays through group chats. Remind them of the importance of being consistently kind and respectful.
Online Gaming Online games can be a fun way to stay entertained during the long break, but it’s important for young people to be aware of potential risks. Make sure they understand how to choose suitable games using PEGI age ratings and content warnings. Remind them that if an online friend pressures them for personal information, photos, or to meet up, they should tell an adult immediately and report to CEOP (Child Exploitation Online Protection Command).
Sharing Online Sharing updates and activities online is common for young people, but it’s crucial to do so responsibly. Discuss the importance of not displaying personal information publicly and the need to get consent before posting photos of others. This ensures they understand how to share safely and respectfully.
Screen Time Advice for Parents Limiting your child’s screen time can improve many aspects of their life. Here are some tips:
- Pre-screen media: Ensure the content is suitable for your child.
- Interactive options: Encourage activities like digital art or educational games over passive consumption.
- Use parental controls: Limit content access and screen time.
- Supervise online activity: Be present and discuss their online experiences.
- Recommended Screen Time Limits by Age:
- Under 18 months: None, except for video calls with an adult present.
- 18 to 24 months: Only educational content under adult supervision.
- 2 to 5 years: One hour of non-educational screen time on weekdays and up to three hours on weekends.
- Over 6 years: Focus on limiting specific activities like video games rather than overall screen time.
Enforcing Screen Time Use tools like Apple’s Screen Time, Google Family Link, and parental controls on game consoles to manage your child’s screen time and ensure safe content consumption. Discuss screen time as a health issue, teach your children digital literacy, and encourage activities away from screens.
Digital Wellbeing Balancing online and offline time is essential for maintaining digital wellbeing. Discuss the warning signs of excessive screen time, such as sore eyes, headaches, or tiredness. Encourage offline activities like reading, baking, or sports. For younger children, stories like Smartie the Penguin can help them understand the importance of taking breaks from screens.
Finding Help One key message is the importance of asking for help from a trusted adult if something online worries or upsets them. Ensure your child knows who their trusted adults are, and clarify that siblings may not always be the best choice for serious concerns. Empower your family with Cyber Trust’s resources and ensure a safe, enjoyable summer break for your children. Click the link below to access all our valuable materials and start your journey to better online safety today!