Staying Safe Online
Supporting parents and carers
Online safety can be daunting for parents and carers, as they may have concerns about their understanding of the topic and their knowledge of latest developments. Schools should remind parents that e-safety is more about their parenting and communication skills than technology.
Parents should understand that it isn’t enough to protect children from online harms by simply banning sites or installing firewalls and filters.
Encourage parents and carers to maintain an open and ongoing discussion about online safety at home/as a family/with their children.
(Assiter, Avery and The Education People, 2018b).
Our research with parents showed that they want to learn more about online safety and would welcome information from their child’s school.
We involve parents and carers by:
- Sharing resources, news activities and events via social media, newsletters, handouts and email
- Circulating new and updated e-safety policies and procedures
- Organising and inviting parents to on
- Showing parents the learning resources you use in the classroom.
See our online safety advice for parents on the NSPCC website
The UK Safer Internet Centre has guidance for parents and carers on online safety over the summer holidays (UK Safer Internet Centre, 2018).
NSPCC and O2
Please look at Keeping kids safe online resources that we sourced from NSPCC to bring together child protection and tech expertise.
Our series of online safety briefings can be printed out, downloaded or sent via email:
- Sexting (PDF) summarises the key information from our sexting webpage
- How to keep your child safe online (PDF) sets out four steps parents can take to keep their children safe online: Talk, Explore, Agree, Manage.
Parents vs Kids is a family-oriented quiz designed to be used by parents, carers and their children to test their online knowledge and learn about staying safe online. It can be used on mobile, desktop, tablet or Amazon Echo.
Net Aware describes and reviews all the latest and most popular social networking sites, apps and games used by children and young people. It also gives the views of parents and children.
Net Aware is a great resource to share with parents and carers who want to know about:
- age suitability
- privacy settings
- appropriate content
- safety and security settings
Role of the School:
Being online is an integral part of children and young people’s lives. Social media, online games, websites and apps can be accessed through mobile phones, computers, laptops and tablets – all of which form a part of children and young people’s online world.
The internet and online technology provides new opportunities for young people’s learning and growth, but it can also expose them to new types of risks.
E-safety should form a fundamental part of schools’ and colleges’ safeguarding and child protection measures.
Government guidance across the UK highlights the importance of safeguarding children and young people from harmful and inappropriate online material. (Department for Education, 2020; Department of Education (Northern Ireland), 2017; Scottish Government, 2017; Welsh Government, 2015).
A whole school approach to online safety helps ensure staff, governors, volunteers and parents teach children about online safety.
Online safety for the new school year
As the new school year begins, Sussex Police and Surrey Police would like to remind parents, grandparents and carers, of the importance of keeping young people safe online. While digital platforms offer educational and social benefits, they also expose children and teens to a range of serious risks.
Two key threats currently targeting young people are sextortion and money muling.
Sextortion involves criminals manipulating or coercing young people into sharing explicit images or videos, then threatening to share the content unless a ransom is paid. This type of blackmail can have devastating emotional and psychological effects.
Learn more here: www.actionfraud.police.uk/a-z-
Money muling occurs when young people are tricked or recruited – often through social media – into moving stolen money through their own bank accounts. Even if they believe they’re helping someone out or earning “easy money”, this is a serious criminal offence.
Details can be found here: www.
A growing concern is investment fraud, particularly involving cryptocurrency. Scammers often target younger users with offers that appear to promise fast profits. These can quickly result in significant financial loss and identity theft. For warning signs and advice please visit: www.actionfraud.police.uk/
Top tips
Start the conversation early – and keep it going
Ask your child to walk you through the games they play, the sites they visit, or the videos they love. Talk openly about common online risks like oversharing, inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and interacting with strangers. Stay informed about the latest trends and lead by example with your own digital habits.
Point them in a safer direction
Encourage the use of child-friendly apps and platforms, such as YouTube Kids. Check in regularly on what they’re watching and sharing, especially on sites like YouTube and TikTok.
Keep up with digital trends – especially the risky ones
Some games and social platforms have raised concerns for promoting violence, gambling, or unmoderated messaging. Get to know which ones your child is using and how they work.
Don’t underestimate the emotional impact
Social media and messaging apps can be powerful – sometimes overwhelmingly so. Help your child understand how online experiences can influence emotions, self-esteem, and mental health.
Respect age restrictions – they exist for a reason
Most platforms have age limits to help protect children. Stick to them and talk to your child about why they matter.
Set clear rules from the beginning
Agree on boundaries together: what’s OK to do online, how long to spend on devices, and how to treat others with respect. Kids need structure and support to make smart choices online.
Make the most of built-in tools
Use parental controls on devices, games, browsers, and social platforms. Enable privacy settings, safe search features, and family filters from your internet provider. These tools add an extra layer of protection.
Be cautious with video calls
Always update apps to their latest version and adjust settings to ensure calls are private and secure. Allow communication only with trusted contacts.
Talk about online gaming
Gaming can help kids with creativity and problem-solving – but it can also expose them to strangers, pressure to spend money, or risky behaviours. Make time to chat about the games they play and how they use them.
Remind them to think before they share
Personal details, photos, videos – once they’re online, they can be hard to take back. Talk to your child about what’s appropriate to post and how to protect their and others’ privacy.
Stick to trusted sources for apps
Download apps only from official stores like Google Play or the App Store. Where possible, use your own email address when creating accounts for your child.
Stay observant, not overbearing
Keep an eye on your child’s online behaviour and watch for warning signs. Sadly, some young people have been targeted for serious online threats from scams and grooming to involvement in criminal activity.
Organisations that can support you
Get Safe Online: www.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP): www.ceop.police.uk/
Internet Matters: www.internetmatters.
