Support and Advice for Parents

Here are some of the risks that children may face online:

• Viewing inappropriate content
• Inappropriate contact by a stranger
• Cyber-bullying
• Grooming
• Peer-on-peer abuse
• Child Sexual Exploitation
• Radicalisation

On this page you will find useful links to help you keep your children safe online. 

o2 and NSPCC online support

Support and advice on:

• Cyberbullying
• Inappropriate content – how to stop your children seeing things they shouldn’t
• Strangers online – the risks of online connections
• Keeping children safe online
• What (and what not to) share online
• Gaming – find out about online gaming and how to manage the risks
• Sexting
• Advice on apps
• Online addiction
• Devices – how to choose the correct device for your child
• Downloading – how to download safely
• Paying for extras – learn about extra charges and how to manage them

  Staying safe online and on mobile. Online safety advice looking at:

• Online games – helping children to play safely
• How to set up parental controls

Find out information on specific apps, games or sites, including:

• Age restrictions
• What the app or site is used for
• Reporting
• Privacy settings
• Safety and support

NSPCC Talking to children about online safetyNSPCC Keeping Children Safe

Keeping under fives safe online

How to protect your child from abuse online.

• Social media guides
• Live streaming – responding to the risks
• Using parental controls
• How to get help and support

Thinkuknow - Parents

If you’re worried that your child is being groomed online or sexually exploited you should report your concerns to CEOP. 
It is not always easy to spot the signs of online grooming and sexual exploitation so if you have any concern at all about someone your child is in contact with, you should get in touch.

You should always report if your child is or has been in contact with someone who is:

• Chatting online to your child about sex
• Asking them to do sexual things on webcam
• Asking to meet up if they’ve only met them online
• Requesting sexual pictures
• Forcing them into sexual activity
• Making them feel unsafe

CEOP is a command of the National Crime Agency and can investigate what is happening – with the assurance that the safety and wellbeing of your child is paramount at all times.

If you are concerned that your child is in immediate danger, call 999.

CEOP Safety CentreParent Info - CEOP and Parent Zone

Articles on:

• Apps and social media
• Online identity
• Gaming
• Illegal content
• Boundaries
• Reporting

Internet Matters - Helping Parents Keep their Children Safe Online

• Download a parent e-safety app
• Get age-specific advice
• Expert Q&A
• Issues that could be affecting your child

FACTSHEETS

Primary Schools Anti-bullying bookletMicrosoft Play Safe GuideRisks Children Face Online (advice for adoptive parents)Risks Children Face Online (advice for foster carers)Cyberbullying FactsheetRespect Me - Cyberbullying bookletInappropriate Websites FactsheetGrooming Factsheet

Tik Tok Guide for Parents

Other useful links

Thrivetalk - If your child has been the victim of cyber-bullying, this organisation can helpBetter Internet for Kids - To view cyber-bullying advice videos in different languagesFootball Association (FA) - Football Association's safeguarding pagesHelpful NSPCC documents

Encouraging better behaviourIs my child ready to be left alone?Is my child ready to go out alone?"Its time" campaign reportListening to children