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What you can do to keep your children safe online?

The internet is part of our everyday lives. According to the UK Safer Internet Centre, 1 in 10 young people have 'gone live' on sites and apps like Instagram and YouTube. Your young person or their friends may have a tablet, a phone or gaming system (for example, an XBOX) that connects to the internet. It's easier than ever to get online so it's important that we all know how to do so safely.

There are some simple wins that parents have already found to make sure the web is a friendly place for their children.

Encourage your children to think SMART

Safe: Keep your personal information such as your email address, phone number and password safe when you’re chatting or posting online.

Meet: If you want to meet someone you’re in touch with online let your parent or carer know. Bring your parent or carer along to the meeting if you can. Online friends are still strangers even if you have been talking to them for a long time.

Accepting: Accepting emails or messages, or opening ﬁles, images or texts from people you don’t know or trust could lead to problems. They may contain computer viruses, or messages and pictures that may upset you.

Reliable: Someone online might be untruthful about who they are. Someone online may tell you information that is false. Check information for yourself by looking at other websites, in books, or ask a parent or carer.

Tell: Tell a parent, carer or a trusted adult if someone, or something, makes you feel uncomfortable or worried. If someone you know is being bullied online, tell an adult you trust.

Source: The UK Safer Internet Centre

Being secure on the internet

Which ever internet browser you’re using check out their safety features and options, so you can feel confident that your data and personal details are secure.