Online Safety for Parents

Ofcom research in 2023 showed that the majority of homes with children aged 0-18 (97%) had access to the internet in 2022, significantly higher than the average for all households (93%). Most children aged 3-17 went online (at home or elsewhere) via mobile phones (69%) and tablets (64%).

Here at Inglehurst Infant School, we have multiple features in place such as a web search filtering system, online safe search and monitoring software. We are committed to providing a safe environment for learning using the internet. But not all of these resources are available at your home, so what can you do to make your child safe online?

Explore together: Ask your child to show you their favourite websites and apps and what they do on them. Listen and show interest and encourage them to teach you the basics of the site or app.
Initiate (and continue) conversations about online safety: Ask them if anything ever bothers or worries them while they’re online. You could use examples of events from the animations and ask if they’ve experienced anything similar. Reinforce the key message: if anything happens online which makes them feel worried, scared or sad, the best thing to do is talk to you or another adult who they trust.
Help your child identify adults who can help: Help your child identify trusted adults from different areas of their life such as at home or at school.
Be non-judgemental: Explain that you would never blame them for anything that might happen online, and you will always give them calm and loving support.
Supervise your child while they’re online: Keep the devices your child uses in communal areas of the house such as in the living room or kitchen where an appropriate adult is able to supervise. It is not safe for 4-7 year olds to access the internet unsupervised in private spaces, such as alone in a bedroom or bathroom.
Talk to your child about how their online actions can affect others: If your child is engaging with others online remind them to consider how someone else might feel before they post or share something. If they are considering sharing a photo or video of somebody else, they should always ask permission first.
SafeSearch: The use of ‘SafeSearch’ is highly recommended for use with young children. Most web search engines will have a ‘SafeSearch’ function, which will allow you to limit the content your child is exposed to whilst online. Look out for the ‘Settings’ button on your web browser homepage (often shaped like a small cog).
Parental controls: Make use of the parental controls available on your home broadband and any internet-enabled device in your home. You can learn more by reading our article on using parental controls.