SAFER INTERNET DAY
Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online
Safer Internet Day –
7th February 2023
- About Safer Internet Day 2023
- What do I do if something goes wrong?
- Practical tips for starting a conversation about life online
- How to talk about difficult topics
- My child has said something worrying – what do I do?
- Find out more about specific issues
- How to make a report
- Getting your child involved in online safety
How to talk about difficult topics
As your children get older, wanting more freedom online is natural. There will soon come a time when they’re using the internet independently on a daily basis, for example when it comes to researching homework or for interacting with friends. Children and young people may also use the internet to seek answers to questions that they’re not comfortable talking about with an adult, and this can raise the need to have conversations about some difficult topics.
Often these conversations can be planned for, but with online content being so accessible, occasionally they may be needed earlier than anticipated. Talking about serious issues can be a daunting prospect, but it’s important to remember that as parents and carers you are the best people for your children to talk to.
If you need to talk about something difficult with your child, try to:
Plan what you want to say in advance, and seek support and information if needed so that you feel prepared.
Choose a moment when there are no other distractions and you are not rushed for time, but acknowledge that they might not feel ready to speak straight away.
Consider the best approach to anticipate how your child might react. You might want to directly explain the concerns that led to the conversation, or feel that asking some broader questions might be more suitable in the first instance.
Give your child time to process what you are saying and share their thoughts, without interruption or blame. Listen carefully to any confusion or concerns.
Share your own experiences if you can. Were you ever in a similar situation and how was it resolved?
Reassure them you are always there to help and even if you don’t know the answers, you can find these out together.
Get support quickly if they need it. This might be from family, friends, your child’s school or other agencies.