What support is there to help keep my child safe online?

The extent to which lives are lived online in today's day and age can be overwhelming. The sheer number of apps, websites and online resources available can be a frightening thought when keeping our children safe. 

In our fortnightly Parental Bulletin, there will be reference to a contemporary online safety aspect for parents and carers to note. The following websites and guides provide clear and powerful information about how you as parents and carers can be part of our holistic culture to support and safeguard our children:

• The NSPCC has a very informative Safeguarding section with numerous guides dealing with a range of issues. You can access their advice here.  
• The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) provides a wealth of information for parents and carers to help keep children safe online. You can access their resources via this link. 
• Parentzone provide support in helping to create a safer digital world. You can access their resources via this link. 
• The UK Safer Internet Centre provides a range of resources for primary and secondary students in addition to support for parents and carers. You can access their resources via this link.  
• Internet Matters provides comprehensive information to help keep children safe online. You can access their resources via this link. 
• National Online Safety provide excellent guides and training courses for parents, carers and students to help raise awareness of digital means. Their guides are updated weekly on our website which can be accessed here.  
• Childnet provide resources to help make the internet a safe place for children which can be accessed here.  
• Educate against Hate is a website which gives resources and advice on how to keep children safe from extremism and radicalisation. Their resources can be accessed here.  
• In February 2021, the UK Government updated their guidance on how parents and carers can help to keep children safe online. This guidance is available here.

In December 2022, the Secretary of State for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport wrote an open letter to parents, carers and guardians to explain the key provisions of the Online Safety Bill which is currently working its way through Parliament. The content of the letter can be accessed here.