Support for grandparents with online safety

We have some helpful guides to the most popular social media services and you can also see the NSPCC’s NetAware guide. 

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If you use social media yourself, you can also follow the UK Safer Internet Centre on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with the latest online safety news.

It is always worth talking to your grandchild, and their parent/carer too, to find out what they are using online and what they enjoy doing online. You could even have a go at playing on their favourite games or downloading their favourite apps to learn more about them for yourself!

The first thing to do is talk to your grandchild’s parent/carer and find out what rules are already in place in terms of their internet use. It is important to be consistent and follow these whenever you are spending time with your grandchild or looking after them when they have access to the internet. It is also worth checking in regularly with them to ensure you are up to date if any changes arise. If they have a family agreement for online use, it would be worth asking for a copy of this. If you regularly look after your grandchild you could explore being added into their family agreement too.

Many parent/carers will have parental controls set up through their broadband service. Parental controls give families the option to have more control over the way the internet is accessed at home. For example, certain websites or search terms can be blocked, and time limits can be put in place. It is always worth finding out what they have in place and setting these up on your home broadband too, for when your grandchild is using the internet at your home.

It’s a great idea to ask your grandchild questions about their online life, such as ‘What apps/games/sites are you using at the moment?’ or ‘What’s your favourite thing to do online?’ Encourage them to share what they enjoy, as well as any concerns they may have, about their online life and make them aware that they can come to you if they are ever worried about anything online. Our ‘Let’s talk about life online’ resource is great in supporting open conversation and gives advice on how to begin discussions around their online life.

Children can sometimes be less reluctant to share sensitive topics with their parent/carer, so it’s important you are there to listen and support without judgement. Remember, depending on the nature of what they are telling you, some things will need to be passed on to their parent/carer too.

However hard we try, and even if we have parental controls in place, things can still go wrong online. First and foremost, support your grandchild and ensure they are okay. The fact they have come to you with a problem is a good thing. There are a number of organisations that can help. Take a look at Report Harmful Content which has more information on making reports online. And remember, make sure you speak to their parent/carer if anything does go wrong online so they can help support them, and you, too.