Between the ages of six to ten, it's likely your child might get their first connected device, perhaps a games console or a tablet. Take the time to have regular chats with your child about their well-being and safety online. This will help them develop coping strategies to deal with online risks and encourage them to make safer choices online.
Set up parental controls on your home broadband as well as on any internet-enabled devices that your child has access to. Our setup safe parental control guides will walk you through the steps so you can get set up in just a few minutes. Don't forget to check that any online accounts are password protected.
If you're concerned about the time your child spends online, many devices and apps have inbuilt controls to help you set limits on when they should be using them and for how long. Ensure your child maintains a good balance of online and offline activities and that their online activities are positive and purposeful. It's helpful to agree on some rules with your child to encourage them to develop good digital habits for the future.
If you're looking to give them their own devices, choose ones that offer child-friendly content and tailored parental controls to give them a safer space to explore online. Don't forget that gaming consoles also offer internet access, so it's important to set parental controls.
Be involved with your child's internet use. This will make it easier for you to advise them on issues they might experience and for them to share concerns about anything that may upset them. Encourage them to question what they see online to build their critical thinking.
Create a user account for your child that only allows access to the sites and apps you've chosen. You could also set your home page to a child-friendly site, such as an educational site like BBC Bitesize or a safe search engine like Swiggle. Activate safe search settings on sites like Google and YouTube, and encourage them to use child-friendly apps like YouTube Kids.
Many popular games involve playing online with others, so be aware that your child may be creating an online presence. Age ratings on games and apps are a helpful way of establishing if they are age-appropriate. Use the strictest privacy settings.
If they're playing free-to-play games, make sure to set a password on your app store account to restrict in-app purchases and avoid getting caught out with a big bill. As soon as they can share and interact with others online, talk about what information they should and shouldn't share. Discuss what it means to be a good digital citizen and emphasize the importance of developing a good digital footprint.
Some children may find themselves bullying or being bullied online, so it's important to talk to them about being a good friend online and where to get support if they need it. Remind them that they can talk to you or a trusted adult if they have any concerns.
Because safety on the internet matters.
Research shows that young children like to watch videos and play video games online.
The following platforms are most popular among children aged 6-10. Make sure to set the apps your child uses for safety with the guides below.
Research shows that pre-teens experience the following issues more than any others. Explore the resources below to help tackle potential harm.
Use these practical tips to help young children have safer online experiences and develop their digital resilience.
It’s a good idea to talk to any older children about what they do online and what they show to younger children. Encourage them to be responsible and help keep their younger siblings safe.
SEE CONVERSATION GUIDEThe best way to find out what your child is doing online is to talk with them about what they do and what sites they like to visit. Ask them to show you or play online games together to learn about the platforms and teach them good e-safety habits.
The age ratings that come with games, apps, films and social networks are a good guide to whether they’re suitable for your child. For example, the minimum age limit is 13 for several social media sites, including TikTok and Instagram. However, there are some social media platforms made for children which they can use safely.
SEE AGE MINIMUMSEncourage them to use their tech devices in a communal area like the lounge or kitchen so you can keep an eye on how they’re using the internet and also share in their enjoyment.
Be clear what your child can and can’t do online – where they can use the internet, how much time they can spend online, the sites they can visit and the type of information they can share. Agree with your child when they can have a mobile phone or tablet.
SEE TEMPLATEBe aware that if your child is accessing the internet using public WiFi they may not have safety features active. Some providers are part of family friendly WiFi schemes with filters to block inappropriate content. Look out for friendly WiFi symbols like RDI Friendly WiFi symbols when you’re out and about.
LEARN ABOUT FRIENDLY WIFIInstall parental controls on your home broadband and any internet-enabled devices to manage internet safety. Set up a user account for your child on the main device they use and make sure other accounts in the household are password-protected so that younger children can’t access them by accident.
FIND PARENTAL CONTROLSUse safe search engines such as Swiggle or Kids-search. You can save time by adding these to your ‘Favourites’. Safe search settings can also be activated on Google and other search engines, as well as YouTube.
GO TO ADVICE HUBLearn about your pre-teen's favourite video games, platforms and online interests by joining them. Remember, their online life is their real life -- so take an interest. Give them the opportunity to show you some of their favourite things.
Download or print this guide to help keep your young child safe online.
Explore a range of age guides across online issues to help support your young child.
If your child needs additional support, share the following resources with them. From helplines to forums with others their age, there are many ways for them to get support.
