Safer Internet Day is a globally celebrated event which highlights the importance of always staying safe online. The theme of 2020 is ‘Together for a better internet’ and this year in the UK the focus is on how young people explore and express their identity online.

With social media, online gaming and browsing becoming more and more popular with children and young people, it is important to know how you can keep them safe online, but also them knowing how to keep themselves safe online too.

Research finds that being online is both liberating and limiting for children and young people. Therefore, with the support you can provide, together we can keep children and young people safe online.

It can be difficult to know how to start talking to your child or young person about social media platforms they may be using, who they may be speaking to online. We have shared some top tips to help create a relaxed environment for you to speak with your child and teach them the importance of online safety.

It can help to:

• Encourage them to share things with you, create a safe and relaxed environment where they feel comfortable to share things. Reassure them that you are interested in both their online and offline activities in their lives.
• Share their interests, ask them about their favourite apps and platforms, what they enjoy using the most on their device and using it as a source for homework.
• Ask them if they are worried about anything, let them know that they can come to you.
• Ensure you establish clear boundaries, what sites and platforms are safe for them to use.
• Make use of parental tools, there are plenty of options for you to consider using to help protect your child or young person when they are online.
• Make sure your child or young person knows where to report to if they have an issue online.

 Everyone has their part to play in making the internet a better place!