Talk to your child about being online. Try to be open-minded and curious - this will help you gain a better understanding of their life online and open the door to having conversations about online safety in the future.
How can I talk to my child about online safety? 💬
Everyone has the right to feel safe online.
It is never too early to start talking to your child about online safety – talk to them as soon as they start to show interest in digital technology or being online.
You might be concerned that you or your child will feel awkward or embarrassed talking about life online and online safety. It is worth remembering that children and young people usually want help and support when something is worrying or upsetting them. Honest and non-judgemental conversations are key to keeping children safe at any age.
Take a little and often approach when talking about online safety, rather than having a one-off conversation. Having regular conversations allows your child to feel comfortable taking the lead and raising questions they may have.
TALK - top tips for talking to your child about life online
Talk to your child about being online. Try to be open-minded and curious - this will help you gain a better understanding of their life online and open the door to having conversations about online safety in the future.
Agree ground rules about the way you use technology as a family. Let your child know that if they experience anything online that makes them feel confused, sad, guilty, or just gives them a funny feeling, they can talk to you about it.
Agree ground rules about the way you use technology as a family. Let your child know that if they experience anything online that makes them feel confused, sad, guilty, or just gives them a funny feeling, they can talk to you about it.
Learn about the platforms and apps your child loves. Take an interest in their online life. Encourage your child to use their devices in communal areas and get them to talk to you through what they are seeing and doing.
Learn about the platforms and apps your child loves. Take an interest in their online life. Encourage your child to use their devices in communal areas and get them to talk to you through what they are seeing and doing.
Know how to use tools, apps and settings that can help to keep your child safe online.
If your child tells you that something has gone wrong online, try to stay calm. Avoid blaming or criticising them as this may shut the conversation down and they may be reluctant to raise things in future.
Know how to use tools, apps and settings that can help to keep your child safe online.
If your child tells you that something has gone wrong online, try to stay calm. Avoid blaming or criticising them as this may shut the conversation down and they may be reluctant to raise things in future.
- UK Safer Internet Centre has a list of ideas about how to start conversations with children and young people about life online - practical tips for starting a conversation about life online
- Childnet have produced a practical toolkit for parents and carers to help them have an open conversation with their child about life online
- Barnados have put together a list of top tips for talking with your child about online safety
- The NSPCC Techosaurus is a great resource for younger children. It is specifically designed to make having conversations about online safety as easy as possible - help keep children safe online with Techosaurus
Content surrounding self-harm and suicide
The use of online spaces where content about self-harm and suicide may be accessed or shared is a growing concern for parents, and talking to your child about difficult topics like these can feel daunting. It is important to remember that talking about self-harm and suicide won’t put the idea into a person’s mind if it isn’t already there.
If a child or young person is thinking about self-harm or suicide, then asking them about these thoughts will help make them feel seen and is likely to encourage them to accept support, rather than put them at further risk.
- The Samaritans have produced a guide to help parents understand online content related to self-harm and suicide
- The Samaritans have also produced advice about how to support children who are viewing or sharing self-harm and suicide content online
- Papayrus have produced a guide about how to communicate with young people about suicidal thoughts
- The NSPCC have a wide range of helpful advice about supporting young people who have been exposed to content promoting self-harm, suicide and eating disorders
What to do if you think it’s an emergency
If you think your child is immediately at risk of hurting themselves or has already injured themselves and you are worried about their safety, you should call an ambulance on 999. You can do this even if you are not with your child, but you will need to be able to provide a location.
Ask your child simple questions that do not focus on why they are feeling the way they do – this will help draw their attention back to the world around them. It is important to try and make your child feel safe, validated and connected. Do not leave your child alone until help arrives and if you are not with them, make your way to them as soon as possible or ask a trusted adult to visit them.