Updated online safety resource for parents and carers

We have updated some of our internet safety resources for parents and carers in time for the October half term! Our new suite of resources provides an insight into online safety for kids and can help your family to stay safe online. These resources are delivered as part of Childnet’s work in the UK Safer Internet Centre.

A Family Agreement can help you to decide the rules for being online as a family. This includes starting discussions together around how to behave in a positive way when online, whether this is at home, at school or at a friend’s house.

Our Family Agreement template can be useful by families as a way to start an open conversation about your online lives, as it allows each family member to explore how they use the internet and what their expectations around this usage are.

For example, the Family Agreement can open a discussion about where phones are allowed in the house (e.g. not at the dinner table), where they are charged, what can be downloaded and played, and any permissions that are needed to use the internet.

We have also put together some guidance on how to use our Family Agreement, including some of the things you may want to consider.

For non-family setting you can also download our Online Safety Agreement Template.

As a parent or carer, the best way to support your child in leading a happy and safe life online is through having an open and honest conversation.

Our Parents’ Guide gives advice on how to begin these discussions, how to work together as a family to support your child online, and how to handle difficult conversations or situations. Each section has examples of questions that can help start a conversation around safe and positive internet use and key messages to share with your child.

This information and resources sheet for parents and carers has a list of useful websites and resources to help you keep your child safe online.

The document includes advice from Childnet and the UKSIC, reviews and tools from other trusted partners, places you can go to get help and support, places for advice on specific issues, and the best way to make and manage reports about harmful content online.