The internet is a fantastic resource for communication, learning and entertainment. Just like the real world, a few sensible precautions help everyone stay safe online, especially young people. Northamptonshire Police is encouraging parents and carers to talk to children about their internet use. Understand more about online safety and start the conversation with your family using this advice.
Set online ground rules
• Before allowing children internet access, create a user account for them on the family computer or tablet. Apply appropriate settings, age restrictions, parental controls and enable tools like Google SafeSearch
• Agree the websites younger children can visit. Be aware of and understand the sites and apps older children use – find useful resources on the opposite page
• Set technology boundaries before children get their first mobile phone or games console. Decide time limits for using the internet and devices. Reinforce as needed and keep talking about technology – children might think they know it all but still need guidance
• Adjust parental controls in line with your child’s age and maturity. If they ask you to turn them off completely, think carefully first and agree what is acceptable online behaviour
• On social media, help your teenager apply the right privacy settings – selecting ‘Friends’ as the default sharing option on Facebook means only people they’ve already connected with can see their posts
• Agree online rules with the whole family, so older siblings know not to show inappropriate content to younger children. Ask grandparents to share safety reminders too
Understand online risks
• Make sure children obey minimum age limits set by services like Facebook. Talk to other parents so you’re in agreement about allowing sign-up – be aware some children fake their date of birth to access sites
• Explain to young people that their tweets, comments, photos and videos all form part of their digital footprint – they could be seen by anyone and are available forever. Remind them not to do anything online that they wouldn’t do face to face
• Encourage your child to think carefully about photo sharing – once an image is online, it’s hard to control whether others view, share or download it. Explore tools like Facebook’s activity log to review anything friends tag them in
• Talk about what they see online. If they are exploring health, wellbeing, relationship or body image issues they could find inaccurate or dangerous information at a vulnerable time
• Discuss how they behave towards others and what they post online. Don’t avoid difficult conversations about things like pornography, bullying and other risky behaviours such as sexting and inappropriate selfies
• Young people are often unaware of the risks and consequences of sending images or videos with little or no clothing on. Explain why sexting or sharing ‘nudes’ is a bad idea and remind them it’s illegal to take a sexual picture or video of anyone under 18, even of yourself. It’s also illegal to share it with someone else
• Be aware of the signs of grooming – when someone builds an emotional connection with a child for the purposes of sexual abuse or exploitation. Signs include unexplained expensive gifts and behavioural changes – find out more at www.northants.police.uk
• Encourage your child to report inappropriate content or abuse. CEOP’s www.thinkuknow.co.uk site has a reporting guide, as well as advice for children and parents
• Make online safety an ongoing conversation. Let your child know they can come to you if something they don’t like happens online. Whatever that is, try not to overreact – you want them to keep talking to you.
Useful reminders for children
• Not everyone is who they say they are online. It’s easy for someone to hide their real identity
• Never arrange to meet someone you’ve ‘met’ on the internet
• Don’t post or share personal details that could reveal your age, gender or location, such as where you go to school – this includes photos too
• Only use moderated chat rooms to talk to friends – these are monitored to keep you safe
• Never send a photo of yourself to someone you’ve met online
• Don’t believe everything you read or are told – sometimes people lie and will say things to manipulate you
• Cyber safety advice also applies to going online using a mobile phone
• Use your common sense. If you’re worried about something or someone you’ve come across online, or if something seems wrong or makes you uncomfortable, tell a parent or another trusted adult immediately.
Useful websites
From the social networks and apps children use to setting parental controls and guarding against online abuse, these websites offer useful advice and help for all ages:
• www.childnet.com
• www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe
• www.net-aware.org.uk
• www.parentzone.org.uk
• www.internetmatters.org
• www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre
