Online Safeguarding Advice for Parents

During the current Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation many parents are working from home including home learning with their children. Many children will increase their online activity time during this period due to being at home more, so it is important that families incorporate time to learn about how to keep safe when going online. It is highly likely that online offending will increase during this time, so it is important that children and young people know how to learn, socialise and play online in a safe way.

• Make a report to one of CEOP's Child Protection Advisors

Below are some top tips on how to help keep your child safe when going online.

• Use parental controls- Adding parental controls will allow you to monitor and limit what your child sees and does online. Visit www.internetmatters.org/parental-controls/ to access

step by step guides on how to set up parental controls.

• Start a conversation about online safety- Show interest and understand what your child likes to do online and who they like to speak too. To learn more about the most popular apps and games that kids are using visit www.net-aware.org.uk

• Set time limits- During this period it is important that your child isn’t spending too much time in front of a screen, plan activities that don’t include using an electronic device.

• Set device-free zones- Only allow your child to use their device where you can monitor them, don’t allow them to take their devices to their bedroom.

• Report- Make you and your child aware of where to go to report online crime.

Below is a list of resources you can use to help educate your child about how to stay safe online and be a good digital citizen.

• CEOP Home activity packs to help children learn about online safety

• Be Internet LegendsGoogle have launched a resource containing online safety activities for the whole family. The programme is designed to teach children the skills they need to stay safe and have a positive time online.

Additional resources use to keep your children safe online:

Below is a list of resources you can use to help educate your child about how to stay safe online and be a good digital citizen.

• CEOP Home activity packs to help children learn about online safety

• Be Internet Legends Google have launched a resource containing online safety activities for the whole family. The programme is designed to teach children the skills they need to stay safe and have a positive time online.

Additional resources use to keep your children safe online:

• ThinkuknowProvides advice from the National Crime Agency (NCA) on staying safe online

• Parent InfoIs a collaboration between Parentzone and the NCA providing support and guidance from leading experts and organizations

• Childnet offers a toolkit to support parents and carers of children of any age to start discussions about their online life, to set boundaries around online behaviour and technology use, and to find out where to get more help and support

• Internet Matters provides age-specific online safety checklists, guides on how to set parental controls on a range of devices, and a host of practical tips to help children get the most out of their digital world

• Net-awarehas support for parents and carers from the NSPCC, including a guide to social networks, apps and games

• Let’s Talk About It has advice for parents and carers to keep children safe from online radicalisation

• UK Safer Internet Centre has tips, advice, guides and other resources to help keep children safe online, including parental controls offered by home internet providers and safety tools on social networks and other online services