Everyone has the right to feel safe online.
It is never too early to start talking to your child about online safety – talk to them as soon as they start to show interest in digital technology or being online.
You might be concerned that you or your child will feel awkward or embarrassed talking about life online and online safety. It is worth remembering that children and young people usually want help and support when something is worrying or upsetting them. Honest and non-judgemental conversations are key to keeping children safe at any age.
Take a little and often approach when talking about online safety, rather than having a one-off conversation. Having regular conversations allows your child to feel comfortable taking the lead and raising questions they may have.
Talk to your child about being online. Try to be open-minded and curious - this will help you gain a better understanding of their life online and open the door to having conversations about online safety in the future.
Talk to your child about being online. Try to be open-minded and curious - this will help you gain a better understanding of their life online and open the door to having conversations about online safety in the future.
Agree ground rules about the way you use technology as a family. Let your child know that if they experience anything online that makes them feel confused, sad, guilty, or just gives them a funny feeling, they can talk to you about it.
Agree ground rules about the way you use technology as a family. Let your child know that if they experience anything online that makes them feel confused, sad, guilty, or just gives them a funny feeling, they can talk to you about it.
Learn about the platforms and apps your child loves. Take an interest in their online life. Encourage your child to use their devices in communal areas and get them to talk to you through what they are seeing and doing.
Learn about the platforms and apps your child loves. Take an interest in their online life. Encourage your child to use their devices in communal areas and get them to talk to you through what they are seeing and doing.
Know how to use tools, apps and settings that can help to keep your child safe online.
If your child tells you that something has gone wrong online, try to stay calm. Avoid blaming or criticising them as this may shut the conversation down and they may be reluctant to raise things in future.
Know how to use tools, apps and settings that can help to keep your child safe online.
If your child tells you that something has gone wrong online, try to stay calm. Avoid blaming or criticising them as this may shut the conversation down and they may be reluctant to raise things in future.
The use of online spaces where content about self-harm and suicide may be accessed or shared is a growing concern for parents, and talking to your child about difficult topics like these can feel daunting. It is important to remember that talking about self-harm and suicide won’t put the idea into a person’s mind if it isn’t already there.
If a child or young person is thinking about self-harm or suicide, then asking them about these thoughts will help make them feel seen and is likely to encourage them to accept support, rather than put them at further risk.
If you think your child is immediately at risk of hurting themselves or has already injured themselves and you are worried about their safety, you should call an ambulance on 999. You can do this even if you are not with your child, but you will need to be able to provide a location.
Ask your child simple questions that do not focus on why they are feeling the way they do – this will help draw their attention back to the world around them. It is important to try and make your child feel safe, validated and connected. Do not leave your child alone until help arrives and if you are not with them, make your way to them as soon as possible or ask a trusted adult to visit them.